At the end of the first month of the NHL's 2009-10 campaign a quick perusal of the scoring leaders turns up the usual suspects (Ovechkin, Thornton, Nash, Heatley, Backstrom) and a few surprises (Anze Kopitar - whom I've previously written about- as well as Patrick Marleau and Vaclav Prospal).

The biggest surprise is seeing Edmonton Oilers winger Dustin Penner sitting in a three-way tie for fifth overall in total points (19), tied for fourth in total goals (9) and among the league leaders in total assists (10). Penner also leads the Oilers in total goals and points. 

This is the same Dustin Penner whose signing of a lucrative multi-year offer sheet - five years, .25 million per season - with the Edmonton Oilers whilst a restricted free agent in the summer of 2007 and the Anaheim Ducks unwillingness to match effectively ended a long time friendship between then-Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and then-Ducks GM Brian Burke.

The same Dustin Penner who in the first two seasons as an Oiler was such a disappointment (47 points in 2007-08, 37 points last season) many observers - including myself - criticized Lowe for what appeared a gross waste of salary cap space on what appeared a marginal second line winger.

The same Penner who late last season was serenaded by disgruntled Oilers fans with chants of "overpaid!"

The same Penner who would be toiling with the Ottawa Senators had Dany Heatley agreed to accept a trade to the Oilers this past summer. 

So what's the reason for Penner's improved performance this season? 

Quite simply, the change in the Oilers coaching staff in the off-season. 

Penner was constantly in the doghouse of former Oilers bench boss Craig MacTavish, who last season took to publicly running down the big winger and appeared at times to make Penner his whipping boy. 

This season, as Penner recently noted in an interview with NHL.com's Dan Rosen, new Oilers coaches Pat Quinn and Tom Renney aren't being overly critical, giving him a clean slate and letting him play his game. 

It's a long season and it remains to be seen if Penner can maintain his hot scoring touch from now until April - and perhaps into the playoffs - but there's no denying he looks a lot more relaxed, confident and stronger on the puck than he did over the past two seasons. 

And if this is only a sign of more to come, Penner's contract won't be considered Lowe's folly for much longer. 

For now, Oilers fans - and management - are probably thankful Heatley declined that trade!