Oilers' Lucic joined ex-NFLer Terrell Owens for offseason workouts

Get your popcorn ready.

Edmonton Oilers fans will have the privilege of watching a leaner and meaner Milan Lucic this coming season.

Lucic spent the offseason training with former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens. The hulking winger played at 236 pounds a season ago, and though that number hasn't drastically changed, Lucic has worked to improve his overall fitness levels.

"The weight's (roughly) the same," he told Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "But the body fat number is lower than last year."

Owens, a five-time All-Pro, hasn't played in the NFL since 2010, but has remained in peak physical condition.

"If you ask me, if it weren't for all the extracurricular stuff, he'd still be in good enough shape to play in the NFL," Lucic said of Owens, who gained a reputation as a diva throughout his potential Hall of Fame career.

Lucic's lack of foot speed was brought into question when he signed a seven-year, $42-million contract on July 1, 2016. The new offseason training regimen is certainly aimed at improving his speed on the ice.

Head coach Todd McLellan has already taken notice.

"We're expecting him to be a little quicker out there," said the Oilers bench boss. "It looks like he's leaned out a little bit. We're counting on him."

Lucic was originally brought in to play alongside Connor McDavid, the game's fastest player, but was unseeded by Patrick Maroon early on in 2016-17. He still managed to reach the 50-point mark, but only half of those points came at even strength. Heading into his second season in Edmonton, Lucic feels a greater sense of familiarity with his surroundings will help him improve.

"Last year coming in here, the only guy I knew was Benoit Pouliot," Lucic said. "Knowing the city, knowing the trainers, the coaching staff, the arena ... It makes it easier coming into the second season. But just like the team, I want to be better than I was last year."