Oilers coach explains reason for harsh demotion to Trent Frederic
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
As one of seven new forwards of the thirteen on the Oilers roster, first-line incumbent Trent Frederic has not quite met the team's expectations.
Trent began the season playing on the first line, as the likely replacement for the injured Zach Hyman, but has since dropped down to the fourth in less than 10 games played.
Head coach blending lines to find right chemistry
Of course, Trent is far from the only new face looking to establish themselves in the lineup, partly due to injury, partly to some inconsistent play on the Oilers' part.
I think, as with a lot of guys, just not making enough plays with the puck and feeling that pressure.
He's a player that we're going to rely on to play a little on the edge, some physicality. And right now, we'd like to see a little bit more from him.
-Coach Knoblauch
He's a player that we're going to rely on to play a little on the edge, some physicality. And right now, we'd like to see a little bit more from him.
-Coach Knoblauch
It did not help his case much when Frederic arrived in Edmonton with an ankle injury, incurred while with his old team, the Boston Bruins. He would only play one game with the Oilers in 2024-25, for a TOI of 7:10.
And in the 22 playoff games that followed that season, he recorded just 1G and 3A, before signing an 8-year, $3.85M AAV contract with Edmonton.
This season, Trent has one point (1G) in his first eight games
Much is given, much is expected. I don't know if there's more, there's always pressure, you want to play well. No one puts on more pressure than myself.
You have that mental dialogue, and when it's not going well it's not a great one.
- Trent Frederic
You have that mental dialogue, and when it's not going well it's not a great one.
- Trent Frederic
One of the primary criticisms around Frederic is his lack of aggression, one area which the Oilers will need for him to improve in order to be effective, given his size and physical style of play.
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