On June 27th, The Edmonton Oilers locked in one of their key trade deadline additions, Trent Frederic, to an eight-year, $30.8 million contract with a cap hit of $3.85 million per year. Acquired from the Boston Bruins at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, Frederic wasn’t at full health when he arrived in Edmonton, but the team saw enough in his game to commit to him long-term.
At 27 years old, Frederic is entering his prime. The Oilers are getting him for the best years of his career, and his style of play fits exactly what this team has been missing. He’s big, fast, and versatile. He plays a north-south game that brings energy and physicality to every shift. Whether it’s on the wing or down the middle, Frederic can fill a variety of roles and slide up and down the lineup depending on the need.
His 2024–25 season was disrupted by a high ankle sprain that lingered longer than expected. It clearly affected his offensive output, as he finished the year with 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points in 61 games between Boston and Edmonton. When the playoffs rolled around, he quietly found another gear. He recorded 4 points in 12 postseason games and finished with a plus-one rating. More importantly, he showed up physically with 85 hits. He wasn’t dominant, but he played smart, hard minutes and gave the Oilers exactly what they needed in a depth role.
In 2023–24, before the injury setbacks, Frederic had the best season of his career. He scored 18 goals and added 22 assists for 40 points in 82 games with Boston. He also registered 151 hits and 44 penalty minutes, showing he could handle the physical grind while contributing on the scoreboard. That version of Frederic is the one Edmonton hopes to see again now that he’s healthy.
Frederic isn’t flashy, and he doesn’t need to be. The Oilers already have their stars. What they need are players who can complement that top-end talent by doing the hard work below the surface. Frederic wins battles, protects the puck, finishes checks, and plays with an edge. He has the speed to keep up with high-skill players like Connor McDavid and the toughness to thrive in playoff-style hockey. His ability to shift from a bottom-six shutdown role into a spot higher in the lineup if needed makes him one of the more versatile forwards on the roster.
He also brings valuable experience from a well-run organization. Drafted 29th overall by the Bruins in 2016, Frederic developed under leaders like Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara, and Patrice Bergeron. He learned what it means to play with intensity, to be accountable, and to win. That influence is evident in how he carries himself and how he plays the game.
From a team-building perspective, the deal makes sense for Edmonton. At $3.85 million per year, Frederic gives them cost certainty at a position that often needs flexibility. He checks a lot of boxes. He can kill penalties, chip in offensively, wear down opponents with his physical play, and bring leadership to the room. It’s a contract that could look like a steal in a few years if he returns to his pre-injury form.
This isn’t about one good stretch of hockey. It’s about building a team that can win deep into the playoffs, year after year. Frederic may not be the most talked-about player on the roster, but he brings the kind of game that shows up when it matters most. Now healthy and locked in long-term, he’ll have the chance to settle into his role and grow with a team that has its eyes on the Stanley Cup.
Trent Frederic didn’t arrive in Edmonton under ideal circumstances, but he made the most of his opportunity. And now, he’s here to stay.
ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing – Inside The Rink
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
