ROSTER REDUX: Pontus Aberg

Ahead of the 2018-19 season, EdmontonOilers.com is taking a look back at the '17-18 individual performances of the Oilers in our series 'Roster Redux'
EDMONTON, AB - Pontus Aberg rode the roller-coaster in 2017-18.
Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Peter Chiarelli acquired the Swede on Feb. 25, from the Nashville Predators, sending Mark Letestu the other way.
It was an attempt to influx the Oilers forward cast with speed while also providing Aberg - a player thought to be on the verge of 'popping' offensively - the opportunity he wasn't given in Tennessee.

ROSTER REDUX

SERIES SO FAR
Bear
Russell
Puljujarvi
Benning
Rattie
Lucic
Draisaitl
Nugent-Hopkins
Talbot
Caggiula
Klefbom
McDavid
"He's a proven goal scorer and point producer at the American League level," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan when Aberg was first acquired.
Undoubtedly poised to graduate from the AHL after amassing 72 tucks and 54 helpers in 199 career outings over three campaigns, Aberg's late-season shot in The Show saw everything from the top line to the top of the press box.
"He's experienced a rich and strong organization. He went through the (Nashville Predators') playoff run last year. He's looking for an opportunity and we're looking for that type of ingredient," McLellan continued.
"Hopefully we can make it work."
After suiting up in only 15 regular season games with Nashville in '16-17, Aberg became a mainstay during the club's post-season run, dressing in 16 matches. The winger produced two goals and three assists including the game-winner in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Anaheim Ducks.
The product of Stockholm, Sweden - who played 37 games with the Preds in '17-18 before being traded - had compiled two goals and six assists in limited action. Aberg matched that in just 16 games with the Oilers, getting reps among the top-nine and even seeing time flanking both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
"We believe he's got some offensive talent and some pretty good instincts," McLellan said of Aberg. "It'll take some time, but we're going to try to put him in situations where he has a chance to be a successful player and contribute to the overall team success."

Aberg made his Oilers debut on Feb. 27, against the San Jose Sharks. The 5-foot-11, 196-pounder notched an assist in his first game, flashing his playmaking ability and nose for the net.
The 24-year-old dressed in the next seven games with the squad until he missed a practice in Florida, causing the forward to watch a pair of matches in the Sunshine State as a healthy scratch.
Aberg returned to the lineup on March 20, against the Carolina Hurricanes, slated to skate on the second line with Drake Caggiula and Draisaitl. Aberg tallied one goal and two assists in 15:46 of ice time, later extending a point streak to four games.
"It's another opportunity for me here," said Aberg of joining the Oilers. "A bigger chance. It's easy to play when you have good players around you. Just keep my stick on the ice."
McLellan commented on Aberg's rebound from being a healthy scratch and on the confidence he displayed in spurts near the end of the campaign.
"That's the response we were looking for," said McLellan. "People make mistakes. It's what you do after to rectify them. His play has been adequate.
"He feels a little more comfortable with his linemates, how we play the system and the rhythm the team runs. We're starting to see him excel and we're starting to see the player we traded for."
Aberg failed to muster a point following his four-game streak and didn't dress in the Oilers final two matches of the season.
It was an up-and-down 16-game sample size but with an element of the unknown surrounding the Oilers wing positions, Aberg will have yet another chance to prove he belongs in the NHL come training camp.