Dustin Penner - is he the real deal or a mirage?

Mention the name Dustin Penner to an Oiler fan last year and you were most likely going to get an ear full or a quick joke about donairs.

This year he is a revelation, but is his progress that much of a surprise? I am not sure if he will continue to score at this pace and would most likely argue against it but his start to the season isn't as surprising to me as some others in Oilers nation. He was in Mactavish's dog house and while his conditioning was obviously an issue he really didn't deserve to stay there.

Power forwards take longer to develop. Just a few examples, Todd Bertuzzi, Billy Guerin, John Leclair who all had their breakthrough years between the ages of 23 and 25.

Really it could be argued that Penner had his breakthrough year in his first year when he scored 29 goals, but as he admits he is just starting to get it. He talks about a maturation process and confidence. He now feels he has the confidence to rush up the ice and is not scared to make a mistake.

Obviously coaching has made a difference for Penner as he and Mactavish were not on the same page. I would argue that his rise was part of the inevitable rise of a talented power forward and it will up to him if that rise continues.

That last sentence is what concerns me....

So far he has had a clean slate and has certainly painted a beautiful picture but I sense that sometimes he lacks the drive and personality to continually compete at a high level. I believe it was that part of his personality that Mactavish was trying to unleash,he was trying to stroke that competitive fire. It backfired but that doesn't necessarily mean that Mactavish was wrong.

Perhaps that drive and ambition that has been lacking is part of that maturation process that he talks about but until I truly embrace Penner as a revelation I need to see it for a longer period of time.

I want to believe but I need a litle more convincing.