Alex Formenton scored his first goal in an Edmonton Oilers sweater Saturday, and the reaction in the building said as much as the goal itself.
There was a small protest outside the arena before puck drop, a reminder that Formenton's return to the NHL hasn't come without controversy.
But once his name got announced as the goal scorer in the second period, the crowd response was ordinary.
"The crowd cheers no more or less than they have for any other scorer. Not a boo heard, from where I'm sitting," Sportsnet's Mark Spector reported.
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That's a notable moment for a player whose path back to the league has been closely scrutinized by fans and media across the country.
Edmonton signed Formenton as part of a broader overhaul of its bottom six this offseason, adding him alongside Mathieu Joseph as free agent depth pieces.
Head coach Mike Babcock and GM Stan Bowman have both stood firmly behind the decision to bring him in, even amid the backlash that followed the signing.
Why this moment matters beyond one preseason goal
A goal in a game like this doesn't decide anything about Formenton's long-term role or acceptance around the league.
But the muted reaction, no cheers beyond the ordinary, no audible boos, suggests the fanbase inside the building is treating him like any other player wearing the jersey right now.
That's a meaningful shift from the tone surrounding his signing back in the summer, when the decision drew real public scrutiny.
Edmonton's front office has consistently framed this as a hockey decision built around adding depth and character to a retooled bottom six.
Whether that quiet in-arena reaction holds up as the season progresses, especially if Formenton settles into a regular role, remains to be seen.
For now, one goal and one unremarkable crowd reaction is the only data point anyone actually has.
Should the Oilers have signed Alex Formenton this offseason?
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