Edmonton Oilers player review and 2021-22 preview: Warren Foegele

Warren Foegele is one of the many new faces joining the Edmonton Oilers this year and next to Zach Hyman, he’s the player I’m most excited to watch.

You see, he’s a player whom the Oilers have sorely been lacking in their middle-six: A big-bodied, fast, aggressive forward who is strong on the forecheck and is able to provide consistent 5×5 scoring.

His final year in Carolina was no different. In 53 games mainly spent as a third liner, he scored 10 goals and as many assists, all of which came at 5×5. With him on the ice at 5×5, the Canes controlled 54.12 percent of the shot attempts, 54.35 percent of the goal, 55.59 percent of the expected goals, and an even 100.5 PDO.

His most common linemate was Jordan Staal and all of Foegele’s underlying numbers were better away from him than with him, suggesting that Foegele was a strong driver of play on that line.

This can be further seen by looking at Foegele’s isolated impacts. According to hockeyviz.com, at even strength, Foegele provided offence at a 12 percent rate above league average and defence at a one percent rate above league average. With him on the ice, the Hurricanes had eight percent more expected goals for per hour than with him off the ice.

Foegele was one of the best penalty killers this year, too. There, according to hockeyviz.com, he provided value at a three percent rate above league average. Among the 144 forwards who killed over 54 minutes of penalties, Foegele posted the second best shot attempts against per hour (68.47), and the second best goals-against-per-hour rate (1.1).

He’s a very intriguing player and one I think Oilers fans will come to love. He plays a style of game that will fit very well and it’s not unreasonable to see him be a 30-point+ scorer for the Oilers in an 82-game season.