What Formenton said after his first Edmonton Oilers preseason game
The controversial Alex Formenton got off to a decent start in his first preseason game with the Edmonton Oilers.
During Saturday night’s 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, Formenton managed to score a goal and looked fairly decent playing on a line with Colton Dach and Mathieu Joseph. His speed, combined with his six-foot-three frame, seemed to gel well with his NHL linemates and added another dimension to what could become the Oilers’ new fourth line.
It was a successful on-ice debut for the 27-year-old, but the off-ice controversies continued to make headlines. There was a fan-led protest outside of Rogers Place before the game, protesting Formenton’s signing and asking for the Oilers to reverse the decision.
Formenton was acquitted on all charges of sexual assault last year stemming from a scandal involving five members of the 2018 Team Canada World Juniors squad.
“To be honest, I’ve been laser-focused on trying to make this team and get better every day,” Formenton told reporters after the game. “Whatever role I have on this team, trying to perfect that.
“I’ve had laser focus on getting better each day.”
"It was nice to get a goal, but it was nice to get the legs moving & get back up to pace. It was a good, well-rounded team effort."
Alex Formenton speaks after scoring for the #Oilers in a 5-2 victory over Winnipeg. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/z3hW8jlulo
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 20, 2026
It was a bit of a non-answer from Formenton, who insists he is blocking out all the outside noise while he battles for an NHL roster spot for the Oilers. The questions off the ice will continue to swirl, but he started to give fans a clearer picture of his on-ice ability on Saturday.
He was advertised as a speedy forward with size who can contribute offensively and be a reliable penalty killer. What he showed in his first Oilers preseason was precisely that.
Formenton scored a breakaway goal and logged the most shorthanded minutes among Edmonton forwards.
“It was nice to get a goal, but it was nice to get the legs moving and get back up to pace,” Formenton said. “I think it was a good, well-rounded team effort. Had all [defencemen] going and had all four lines.
“It was a good start.”
Alex extends the #Oilers lead #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/OK3KtNUJ2R
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 20, 2026
His play also caught the attention of Oilers head coach Mike Babcock, who was behind the Edmonton bench for the very first time on Saturday. It appears that the veteran coach is hoping to get more out of the Oilers’ forward depth this upcoming season.
Babcock praised Dach’s effort on that line, but also gave some love to Formenton’s game as well.
“Pretty good, eh?” Babcock said after being asked about Formenton. “He can skate a little bit. What a difference-maker he’s going to be for us. Elite penalty killer; puts pressure on the other team. I thought him, Joe, and Dach were unreal.”
Coach Babcock spoke with the media following the #Oilers opening preseason win about their play against the Jets, the defence & more. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/KxkV9pkzN7
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 20, 2026
The conversation will continue off the ice about the merits of giving a player like Formenton another chance. However, the on-ice results are exactly what the Oilers were hoping for, albeit through one preseason game.