Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Oilers Forward Out Indefinitely with Undisclosed Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 21, 2026 10:46 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers keep battling for the Pacific Division title during the home stretch of the regular season, but injuries aren't making it easy for the Stanley Cup runner-ups.

Edmonton's forward corps has been hit steadily with injuries of late. Although only 12 games are remaining in the schedule and little time for other teams to catch up, the Oilers are sixth in the Western Conference and only seven points ahead of the wild-card seeds cutout.

Edmonton has already been without several key players in recent weeks, including Leon Draisaitl, Colton Dach, Mattias Janmark and Curtis Lazar—all of them forwards.

On Friday, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed another injury to a member of the unit, adding to the growing list of unavailable forwards.

Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (21) skates in warmups before a game.Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

“(Trent) Frederic is out with an injury,” Knoblauch said, “and I don't have a timeline for (his return).”

Frederic suffered his injury during Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers, where he left before the start of the third period and didn't return.

The 28-year-old forward has appeared in 67 games this season, his first one started with the Oilers after they acquired him in a trade last year, scoring four goals and assisting on two others while averaging 10:45 of ice time per game.

From @EdmontonOilers Kris Knoblauch on Trent Frederic "Trent is out with an injury and I dont have a timeline."
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) March 20, 2026

Frederic’s absence further thins an Oilers forward group that has been forced to rely heavily on call-ups and constant adjustments of late.

Adding insult to injury, Frederic's injury comes shortly after the team placed Draisaitl on long-term injured reserve, opening cap space but removing one of the league’s top scorers from the lineup for the remainder of the regular season.

The Oilers will continue their homestand on Saturday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 10 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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