"The abrasive Teddy Peckman is back on the Edmonton Oilers' blue-line for another season, which should please the colourful Donald S. Cherry, an unabashed fan who one day might stop strangling Peckham's real name, Theo.

Peckham, who took a giant step last season while playing 18-1/2 minutes a game — often against the other team's big guns for a bargain basement $550,000, got a raise to $1.075 million.

"At the end of the day, we hope he evolves into a top-four (shutdown) defenceman," said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini, who pointed out that Peckham had a high competitive level against "heavy, good players."

Tambellini also values Peckham's willingness to rush to the aid of his teammates as the Oilers' snarliest blue-liner. His 198 penalty minutes were the third-highest in the entire league, although he racked up a fair number of misconducts to inflate the total.

But with newcomers Ben Eager, Darcy Hordichuk and six-foot-six defenceman Andy Sutton, he'll be in a secondary position next season.

"I'm their help now. They'll be leading the way. I'll be in the supporting cast ... those are veteran tough guys," said Peckham, who fought Sutton last year. "He's a big boy."

Peckham would like to pattern himself after Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa, even if he's a rival."