EDMONTON — The goaltending was solid, Ryan Shea looked like he could hang with the top unit, and like it or not, Alex Formenton looks like he might just be able to help the Edmonton Oilers this season.

Formenton scored a goal and had four shots on net in 16:47 of ice time. He may have been the best Oilers player in his pre-season debut, with above-average speed and size. Early on, it appears he might be a useful penalty killer and depth winger.

The Oilers iced a far more veteran roster than did the Winnipeg Jets, and the final score of 5-2 was no surprise. Here are our takeaways from the first of four preseason games:

Formenton makes early impression

It’s been a long time for Alex Formenton, who has not played a National Hockey League game since April 29, 2022.

Upon his return, however, he wasted no time re-establishing himself as an NHL player.

“Pretty good, eh?” said head coach Mike Babcock. “I mean, what a difference maker he's going to be for us. An elite penalty killer, puts pressure on the other team. I thought him, (Mathieu Joseph and Colton Dach) were unreal. That was my favourite line tonight by far.”

Formenton scored a breakaway goal, was thwarted on another breakaway, and then had to be hauled down on a third rush, drawing a penalty — all resulting from his superior foot speed.

“It was nice to get a goal, but it was nice to get the legs moving and get back up to pace,” Formenton........

© Sportsnet