Warren Foegele Reunites with the Kings for a Showdown Against His Former Oilers Allies

Content of Article

When Warren Foegele participated in his Meet The Media session two days following the Edmonton Oilers’ Game 7 Stanley Cup Final defeat, it felt more like a farewell interview.

Content of article

Content of article

The pain of the 2-1 defeat in Florida was evident in his gaze, not only showing the profound disappointment but also the understanding that this was the end of his tenure as an Oiler after three seasons since arriving via a trade from Carolina for Ethan Bear.

Article content

Throughout the season, there had been no meaningful discussions regarding a new agreement for the 28-year-old unrestricted forward, even as he achieved a personal best of 20 goals and 41 points in his NHL career. Disappointing, but a business choice, and just five days after bidding farewell to the media here, he inked a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings ($3.5 million AAV), audaciously crossing adversarial lines after competing against the Kings in three consecutive first-round playoff series.

The Oilers didn’t find a monetary way to provide Foegele, who played junior hockey in Erie alongside Connor McDavid and was coached by Kris Knoblauch there, a significant increase over his $2.75 million AAV due to their constrained salary cap. He shared ice time with 97 and Leon Draisaitl at times and performed well, but primarily, he was an essential third-line companion to Ryan McLeod.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to return. I recognized the direction they were pursuing and I wasn’t part of their solution,” mentioned Foegele, who will face off against the Oilers for the first time on Saturday afternoon in L.A., having accumulated 18 points (nine goals), all at even strength.

“That’s perfectly fine. In that final (Florida) series, I was eager to make the most of my time, though. I wanted to conclude it positively, and it’s a real disappointment that we didn’t win, particularly knowing I wasn’t returning.”

Article content

Article content

He encountered the entire group at McDavid’s wedding in Ontario on July 27, and there was some friendly “joining the enemy” banter there. “But I actually spoke to a couple of the guys on July 1 at the lake (Muskoka), one of whom was McLeod. He hadn’t been traded yet (to Buffalo). We had a good laugh (about L.A.),” commented Foegele, who subsequently worked out with several of his former teammates in Toronto prior to departing for the Kings’ camp.

“Experiencing free agency was intriguing for our team and the players in Florida (Brandon Montour signed with Seattle, Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Toronto). It was challenging to comprehend. For us, we had just faced a Game 7 loss; you fly home, spend time with your teammates for the last time, then the next day (at the rink) you anticipate (discussions with the management about the season) but we didn’t have that norm because the entire management and staff were off to the draft. Quite different from the usual,” shared Foegele.

One day he’s an Oiler, and the next day he’s competing for the opposing team.

“The remarkable aspect of this sport is the opportunity to meet amazing individuals, and I formed some truly strong friendships in Edmonton that will endure forever. I don’t need to be on the same team for that,” expressed Foegele, who participated in 18 playoff games against the Kings and perhaps developed some traditional competitive resentment towards the squad in silver and black.

Article content

“I’m uncertain about the (resentment)…they were among the teams interested in me, and I believed I would be a suitable addition. I felt their playing style would harmonize well with that team, and thus far, it seems to be functioning effectively,” stated Foegele, who is averaging 16 minutes of playtime per game.

He’s performing quite well, thank you.

On payday, and on the ice, with his nine goals and 18 points. The same narrative applies to Holloway (13 goals, 22 points), who is currently playing in St. Louis.

When Foegele
“`

was considered non-essential here due to the finances, it also appeared that internally the Oilers had a ready substitute in Holloway. Until they did not.

“Dylan and I conversed at the conclusion of the year regarding that, about him receiving a tremendous opportunity,” stated Foegele. “Then July 1 transpired. Perhaps he’s wondering ‘Where will I fit here?’”

Indeed, the Oilers acquired Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner as unrestricted free agents. And Holloway is now with the Blues.

Today, Foegele finds himself on the opposing side as an Oiler spectator. He’s solidly positioned on an L.A. line with center Quinton Byfield, and for the moment, winger Tanner Jeannot. He retains No. 37 but now in an alternate jersey.

Foegele ranks fourth in even-strength points in L.A. following Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and Alex Laferriere, reinforcing Zach Hyman’s claim from last year that “he can generate offense at 5-on-5 and that’s certainly challenging to achieve in this league.” Out of his 41 points last season here, 38 were scored at even strength.

Article content

He’s also experiencing a role on the Kings’ second power play unit (19 minutes in 34 games), something that rarely occurred in Edmonton due to the dominant first unit, but similar to his time here, he remains a crucial part of the L.A. penalty kill. He averages 1:36 per game, ranking fourth among forwards behind Trevor Moore (two minutes), Phil Danault (1:56), and Byfield (1:37).

“I’m not sure if I ever played 17 to 19 minutes on the power play (with the Oilers). My even-strength minutes have increased, and on the penalty kill, I’ve taken on a greater responsibility here,” he mentioned.

He prioritizes the team win more than an individual goal on Saturday, but he wouldn’t refuse a score, or two or three. He registered four two-goal games last season with the Oilers and has achieved one with the Kings as well. He’s still in pursuit of his initial NHL hat trick after 465 games.

“Perhaps tomorrow would be an opportune moment, huh?” chuckled Foegele, anticipating the Oiler-Kings clash for second place in the Pacific Division.

“There’s always a chip on your shoulder when playing against your former team. I’m not sure if Saturday is the perfect time, coming off a four-day break, however. You typically don’t face that in your first game back (against an old team) but you play with the hand you’re dealt. It’s going to be enjoyable, intriguing,” he remarked.

This ‘n that: Moore (upper-body) and Danault (undisclosed), who frequently has matched up against McDavid in the playoffs, both sustained injuries during the last Kings road trip. Danault participated in practice with the main squad and may suit up, but Moore and fellow injured forward Trevor Lewis practiced separately… Drew Doughty, who fractured his left ankle three months back and required surgery, still is not practicing with the team yet… The Kings, beginning a five-game homestand, hold a record of 10-2-1 at home with a plus-19 goal differential.

Article content