Oilers forward Trent Frederic will not be healthy for entire playoffs, says insider
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers trade deadline move for Trent Frederic has clearly not gone according to plan, as he has yet to play a full game with the team and may not be healthy at all for the playoffs.
Frederic has been facing constantly delayed return timelines since being traded, and then re-aggravated his injury against the LA Kings in his brief return.
Oilers insider claims Trent Frederic won't be healthy for entire playoff run
In a new article from Sportsnet, analyst Mark Spector raised the concern that Trent Frederic won't be able to entirely heal from his high ankle sprain until next year.
If Frederic were to wait for that high ankle sprain to disappear completely, we suspect, he wouldn't play a game until September.
It's a matter of gauging how much pain he can stand, and then wagering on the chance he reinjures himself, like he did the last time he tried a comeback. The thought of Frederic ever becoming what he was meant to be this spring - that Trade Deadline acquisition whose size and demeanour is exactly what the Oilers need - seems distant right now.
- Mark Spector, Sportsnet
It's a matter of gauging how much pain he can stand, and then wagering on the chance he reinjures himself, like he did the last time he tried a comeback. The thought of Frederic ever becoming what he was meant to be this spring - that Trade Deadline acquisition whose size and demeanour is exactly what the Oilers need - seems distant right now.
- Mark Spector, Sportsnet
It's an unfortunate reality that Frederic may not be healthy for any part of the Oilers playoff run this season.
What's more puzzling is the fact that NHL insiders knew the severity of Frederic's injury, but the Oilers didn't seem to think it was a problem.
NHL players can still play through a high ankle sprain, and Trent Frederic likely will in the first round. The only problem will be hoping that he doesn't re-aggravate the problem again to the point where it's too painful to stand.
Frederic says he's at least hopeful to play sometime soon, but it's clear he won't be fully healthy.
Trent Frederic facing tough task of making Oilers real debut in playoffs with high ankle sprain
Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl memorably played through a similar high ankle sprain injury in the playoffs, and dominating the Flames through it. Trent Frederic may rely more on his physicality, or may have a more severe injury than Draisaitl did.
The fact that Frederic is so injured this season and will become a UFA this summer makes it extremely puzzling why the Oilers would really make this deal.
Hopefully he can come back in the playoffs and find another gear to make this trade redeemable - and help the Oilers win games.
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AVRIL 19 | 771 ANSWERS Oilers forward Trent Frederic will not be healthy for entire playoffs, says insider Do you think the Oilers' Trent Frederic trade is a failure? | ||
| Yes | 452 | 58.6 % |
| No | 319 | 41.4 % |
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