First to Third, The Dustin Penner Story

The offersheet to former Anaheim Duck, Dustin Penner was one of the most controversial moves in the 2007 off season. He was brought into the Oilers organization to bring some offense as well as some size. He lead the Oilers in goals last season while on the first line with Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky. But this year he finds himself on the third line, with the emergence of Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner, as well as their chemistry, Penner seems to be the odd man out.

He is supposed to be on the 3rd line with Ethan Moreau and Fernando Pisani. No real playmakers.

But look at his statistics closer. Out of the 23 goals he scored, 13 of them were on the powerplay. And this season I fully expect him to be on the first powerplay unit with Ales Hemsky and one of, Shawn Horcoff or Sam Gagner.

So will I expect a decrease in points. Likely. Will I expect a decrease in goals. Likely not. If Penner can play as well as he did at the end of last season he should at least be in contention to be the first line winger that he was brought in to be.