Pending UFA Trent Frederic ‘might be sticking around’ with Oilers

While priority number one for the Edmonton Oilers is finding glory by hosting Lord Stanley’s Mug this month, the team has reportedly been engaged in contract negotiations with winger Trent Frederic.

This, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who reported such on Saturday’s 32 Thoughts podcast.

“One of the things that’s being rumoured around here is that Trent Frederic might be sticking around,” said Friedman. “I can’t imagine we’re going to find out during the final — they got more important things to worry about, but that was something I heard in and around the building tonight.”

Frederic, 27, was acquired by the Oilers ahead of the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins. It was a three-team trade, with the Oilers sending out prospects Max Wanner and Shane LaChance, a 2025 second-round pick and 2026 fourth-round pick, bringing back Frederic, winger Max Jones and the rights to unsigned winger Petr Hauser.

Drawing in for just one regular season game with the Oilers as he was battling an ankle injury, Frederic has appeared in 18 playoff games, scoring a goal and four points, taking 19 shots and laying 66 hits. He’s also been excellent in the faceoff circle, going 12-for-19 in the dot. With him on the ice at five-on-five in the playoffs, the Oilers have controlled 45.5 percent of the shot attempt share, and 50.6 percent of the expected goal share while outscoring the opposition 6-4.

Frederic is a pending unrestricted free agent this summer, having played out the final season of a two year, $2.3- million AAV contract. While there was some thought that Frederic may be too costly for Edmonton to retain this summer, that might not be the case.

Evolving Hockey’s contract projections have the most likely result being Frederic signing a three-year deal worth $2.7-million per year with the Oilers. AFP Analytics, meanwhile, project him to sign a two-year deal worth $3.5-million per year.