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Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie and Brad Marchand have all had discussions with the Boston Bruins about potential contract extensions. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Oilers May Wind Up Regretting Trent Frederic Trade

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Rupert McDonald | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 8:51 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers may not have made the blockbuster deal that fans were hoping for ahead of the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they were quiet. They were not only able to add a solid defenceman in Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks, but also made a move to bring in Trent Frederic and Max Jones from the Boston Bruins.

The biggest piece of that trade with the Bruins was Frederic, as Jones had spent the vast majority of the 2024-25 campaign in the American Hockey League (AHL). On paper, it’s a solid add, as the 27-year-old adds plenty of toughness along with some scoring touch. He would be a great middle-six forward for them and could have a big impact in the playoffs. That said, the reason that word is ‘would’ is due to the fact that he has yet to suit up for a single game in Oilers threads.

Frederic’s Injury a Cause for Concern

It’s becoming more and more common for NHL teams to trade for players well ahead of the trade deadline. The reason behind this is so that they have more time to gel with not only their new teammates, but also their new surroundings. It can take some getting used to, and the more time they have to adapt, the better.

Not only did the Oilers wait until the day before the deadline to acquire Frederic, but it’s looking like he won’t get in many regular season games, if any at all. He’s been battling a lower-body injury that’s had him out of the lineup since Feb. 25. Missing a month, and likely more, of action is never ideal. Especially for a player who has yet to suit up for his new team.

Having Frederic join the lineup so late will make things difficult on the Oilers as a whole, as it remains to be seen where he best fits into the lineup. Head coach Kris Knoblauch is going to have to figure that out very quickly, as it’s imperative he doesn’t mess with the rest of his lineup chemistry-wise in order to appeal to one player.

While there is a chance Frederic hits the ground running, it’s far more common than not to see newly acquired players take some time to mesh with their new team. There is a real cause for concern that he will not be nearly as effective a player as he has proven to be at times throughout his tenure with the Bruins.

Oilers Should Have Looked Elsewhere

The decision to make a move for Frederic made sense for the Oilers, given that they weren’t required to give up a whole lot, and got him for a very cheap cap hit. That said, it was imperative they added a scoring forward at the deadline, and while Frederic can be that, getting one who was healthy and had more time to adapt would have been the better decision.

It isn’t as if other players weren’t available. There were plenty of scoring forwards who were moved elsewhere at and ahead of the trade deadline. The Oilers were said to be in on some, most notably Mikko Rantanen, but failed to land any. That could prove to be a massive mistake in yet another season that is being viewed as a Stanley Cup or bust year for this team.

Oilers Need Frederic to Get Healthy Fast

The latest update on Frederic came this morning, with Knoblauch announcing that he will miss at least another two weeks of action. That isn’t a very promising update, though if that winds up being the minimum time missed, he could still return late in the regular season. That would give him at least a few games to try and get up to speed with his new teammates. It’s far from ideal, but the best-case scenario for a trade that may end up being regretted.