Posted by 
Oiler's Assistant Captain Dustin Penner (Sidmeister78 Wikipedia Commons)
Three months ago, Dustin Penner was riding a rail out of Edmonton. Eager to dump his $4.25 million a year salary, the Oilers’ favorite whipping boy was essentially shoehorned into a trade offer with top prospects Andrew Cogliano and Ladislav Smid in exchange for malcontent sniper Dany Heatley. Heatley of course kiboshed the deal eventually landing in San Jose, his exploits since being well documented.
And Penner?
Well, he’s writing the redemption story of this young NHL season. With two goals in last night’s 5-2 win over Minnesota, Penner now leads the Oilers in scoring with 5 goals and 4 assists, a total eerily similar to Heatley’s 5 goals and 5 assists with the Sharks. Even more impressive than the stats is Penner’s newfound leadership qualities. With Ales Hemsky out of the lineup against the Wild with a fever, Oilers Coach Pat Quinn pinned the ‘A’ on Penner’s chest and that move, more than any other, shows just how far Penner has come in his trip from the doghouse to the penthouse.
“Just means I’m the sixth-best leader … enough guys go down, I’m right there,” winked Penner, a knowing nod to the fact that a good portion of the Oilers’ leadership group is currently MIA with Hemsky, Sheldon Souray and Steve Staios all missing last night’s tilt.
All self deprecation aside, Penner is clearly a man on a mission. He arrived at the Oilers’ training camp this year leaner and meaner and eager to make a good impression on his new head coach. So far, Quinn has liked what he’s seen, particularly on Penner’s skillful give and go with Sam Gagner that sealed the win over the Wild.
Dustin Penner scores against the Minnesota Wild
“He’s lugging it and made a beautiful pass through the seam to Gagner, then drove to the net even though it was at the end of a lot of time in their zone. It took a lot of second effort getting to the doorstep. A big goal for us. I really like his skills,” said Oilers Head Coach Pat Quinn.
Following last night’s game, Penner now finds himself tied for 11th overall in league scoring, rarefied air for a player that Edmonton fans had universally derided as an overpaid underachiever. Silencing his critics has to be sweet vindication for the Winkler, Manitoba native, but to his credit, Penner is not biting on the temptation to say “I told you so,” preferring instead to share the credit with his teammates.
“I’m playing with good linemates and everybody’s playing well,” said Penner “When the whole team is playing well offensively, the individuals benefit as well.”
Penner’s comments underline the fact that a number of the young Oilers are enjoying similar redemption at the moment with fellow forwards Gilbert Brule, Mike Comrie, Patrick O’Sullivan & Sam Gagner all enjoying a productive start to the season. Which begs the question, ‘Was Penner the problem last year or was it in fact the stifling system of former Oilers coach Craig MacTavish?’
Of course, no one in the Oiler organization is willing to throw a loyal soldier like MacTavish out of the foxhole, but there is no disputing the fact that thus far Quinn seems to be getting more out of his young charges. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for the veterans with top-liners Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky in particular off to slow starts in Quinn’s system.
Labouring to meet the expectations of an ill advised $33 million contract, Horcoff has now essentially replaced Penner as the fan’s favorite whipping boy. And while it’s debatable whether it’s fair to blame the players for the mistakes of management, this will inevitably be the case in hockey mad Edmonton where the fans are desperate to return to the heights of past glories. The upside is there’s no better place to play when you’re winning, a fact the players know only too well as evidenced by the words of Penner’s linemate Patrick O’Sullivan following last night’s win over Minnesota.
“It’s just fun to be in the room here and have a good atmosphere and everybody’s excited to come to the rink. If we can win in this city, it’s going to be unbelievable.”
Some Other Posts You May Enjoy:
It’s Feast or Famine for Oilers’ Offense
Wings/Penguins Highlights: Datsyuk Gets Two, Hossa Silences the Boos
Hemsky / Horcoff Split Sparks Oilers
Lowe’s Evaluation of Ryan Proves ‘Questionable’
Fantasy Hockey Team of the Week: Oct.12-17
Caps Hush Critics for Now with Win over Pitt
Nice recap Lee, Penner has been solid but it’s still a little early to get excited. Were those quotes that you got directly with your press pass for the Oilers games?
Rafal, I don’t believe Lee has a pass but hopes to get one in the near future. Now if he can swing a photographer as well (Like Rick managed to do) we’ll really be swinging.
Too early to get excited? You’re just mad that I went three for three in picking the Oiler’s goal scorers on the Hemsky update ; )
Seriously, it IS early but Penner’’s play is a night vs day difference from where he was last year and he’s been doing it with different linemates with Quinn shaking up the lines regularly.
Quotes are from the post game media scrum.
Penner is going to be great, the oilers didn’t sign him for nothing!
Hockey Hobby Boxes
Hockey Hobby News
[...] looking more Pontiac pathetic than Mopar muscle in the Detroit net. The Oil’s top two forwards, Dustin Penner & Ales Hemsky, seemed particularly pleased to feast on sub-par goaltending with their 6 goals [...]
[...] the newly dominant Dustin Penner and the rapidly emerging Gilbert Brule. Penners’ comeback is well documented, his consistent excellence this season putting him in contention for late consideration for Team [...]