On Tuesday (Mar. 4) the Edmonton Oilers completed a trade with the Boston Bruins, which involved the New Jersey Devils as the third team to retain salary to make the deal possible. One player that came to the Oilers in the deal was forward Trent Frederic, who had his name in trade rumours leading up to the deal. The Oilers moved out prospects Shane LaChance and Max Wanner on top of two draft picks to make the deal come to fruition, and with the retention included, the Oilers are only on the hook for $575,000. With that being said, here is everything to know about the Oilers’ newest acquisition.
Frederic Played Junior Hockey in NTDP/NCAA
Frederic was selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins at 29th overall after a strong season in the U.S. National Development Team Program. With their U18 team, he scored 20 goals and added 20 assists for 40 points through 61 games. In the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the same season, he scored four goals and added 14 assists for 14 points through 23 games. In the 2016-17 season, he joined the University of Wisconsin in the NCAA where he stayed until the end of their 2017-18 campaign.
Over two seasons in the NCAA, Frederic scored 32 goals and added 33 assists for 65 points through 66 games which comes out to a 0.98 points-per-game average. He made his professional debut in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins in the 2017-18 season where he played 13 games scoring five goals and adding three assists for eight points. He got his first taste of NHL action in the 2018-19 season where he played 15 games but was held pointless, but notched 25 points in 55 games in the AHL.
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The 2020-21 season was the first full campaign in the NHL where he scored four goals and added one assist for five points through 42 games. He has been able to keep a spot in the NHL ever since, having notched 109 points through 337 games which comes out to a 0.32 points-per-game average so far in his short career. He has been described as a power forward who plays sound at both ends of the ice and should be a welcomed addition to the Oilers, who are trying to contend.
Frederic’s Analytics Aren’t Terrible, Fans Should Be Excited
One thing fans immediately look at when a trade is completed is how a player’s analytics look. Oilers fans should be excited about Frederic considering the style of play he brings, which should make a positive difference in the postseason. He has been praised for his ability to finish in the slot and has a strong offensive mind, but his analytics would argue he’s lackluster in the defensive zone.
Trent Frederic, acquired by EDM, is a physical scoring winger who checks, forechecks, and battles. Scores most of his goals by jumping on loose pucks in the inner slot. Mostly a bottom sixer but can retrieve pucks for skilled linemates. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/lHeDTNBHdx
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 4, 2025
The fact the Oilers were able to get Frederic cheap and have him cost less against their cap than a minimum contract, fans should be excited about what he can bring to the table. He is a pending unrestricted free agent which means the team runs a risk of him leaving at the end of the 2024-25 season, but he should fit in well with the Oilers’ scheme and should help them make a push for their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
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