FEATURE: Guten tag

EDMONTON, AB - 'Guten tag.'
Or, 'Good day,' was what German forward Tobias Rieder was saying to his Oilers teammates on Rogers Place ice when he first arrived in Edmonton a few weeks ago for informal skates.
The newly-signed winger, who inked a contract with Edmonton on July 1, participated in the light sessions as he familiarized himself with his new club and surroundings in an effort to make the first skate of Oilers Training Camp a smooth experience.

OILERS MAIN CAMP

DAY 2 CONTENT
OILERS TODAY | New faces
THE PANEL | Main Camp
BLOG: Rattie relishing opportunity
BLOG: Chiarelli provides Nurse update
BLOG: Competition on the back end
CAMP RAW | GM Peter Chiarelli
CAMP RAW | Head Coach McLellan
CAMP RAW | Koskinen
CAMP RAW | Gravel
CAMP RAW | Bouchard
CAMP RAW | Strome
CAMP RAW | Rattie
Which Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan believed was for the European, who was slotted on the right side of Team B's top line with Milan Lucic and compatriot Leon Draisaitl.
"I thought Tobi had a great day today," said McLellan, who's not one to evaluate a player prematurely. "He was skating, he had the puck a lot and he made plays when they were there.
"It was just an overall good day for him and he seems to be very excited about the opportunity he has in being here."
Excited Rieder is. Not only is the 25-year-old playing with his friend and fellow German Draisaitl but he also marveled at the facility, considering it, 'nicht zu fassen.'
"Unbelievable," Rieder said of Rogers Place Friday following a scrimmage and practice, dressed in dark navy Oilers training gear and still dewy from the day's exercises.
"The first time you step into the dressing room, it's outrageous. It's something I've never seen before and it's been fun here. There are lots of familiar faces around and it's a good group of guys."

Hailing from Landshut, Germany, the forward said there's some comfort in coming onto a team with a buddy on it such as Cologne's Draisaitl - known as the Deutschland Dangler in Oil Country.
"It's nice playing on a team with another German," said Rieder. "With a player like Leon, it's going to make things a lot easier."
Not only do the two share a healthy friendship, but they also share knowledge of one another's game after taking rushes together internationally. So, Friday's line schematics weren't completely foreign.
"I've known him since we played the first World Juniors together," said Rieder, whose hometown is about a six-hour drive from Cologne, where the Oilers will face Kölner Haie on Oct. 3.
"At the World Cup (of Hockey 2016), we played together and there was a little bit of chemistry there. He's a great passer and I'm just trying to use my speed on the wing. Try to get open for him and create some room for him because everyone knows he's dangerous on the puck and he can make plays."

For McLellan, there's an element of analysis at the moment. The Oilers coach is still in the trial period when determining certain line combinations. There was purpose for icing Rieder, Draisaitl and Lucic together, though.
"We are experimenting with a new player," he said. "We're looking for some type of connection between the three of them: Looch, Leon and Tobias… he held on to pucks and kept plays alive for his teammates when plays weren't there."
The Oilers coach will hope to see more good days from his latest forward, who seems to be enjoying Oilers Main Camp alongside his old friend, new city and young squad.
"I'm really happy to be here," said Rieder. "Everybody is ready to start the season."