Oilers insider projects team to healthy scratch forward after being benched

Frederic came to the Oilers via trade still dealing with a major injury, and never played a full game with the team until the playoffs. Insiders have reported he's dealing with a high ankle sprain, and won't be fully healthy this playoffs at all.

Oilers insider Jim Matheson has noted that Frederic's ice time has dropped to just 8:09 on the fourth line, the lowest of any skater by more than a few minutes. It may make sense to bring in another player.

Trent Frederic has struggled to get up to speed and be a real difference maker since returning from injury. He's made a few nice plays, but the puck does on his stick in the offensive zone a little too much. In Game 1, he totally bobbled a prime scoring chance.

He's clearly struggling, and the Edmonton Oilers still have some quality players waiting in the wings. Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner are fully healthy NHL veterans, that would probably be hungry to get into the lineup.

The Oilers spent a slew of prospects and draft picks to acquire Trent Frederic and retain $1.725M of salary on him.

Given the fact he wasn't healthy enough to play until playoffs, they clearly overpaid for unnecessary retention - and he hasn't been healthy enough to really make an impact yet.

Looking back, the Oilers could've spent those trade assets far better.

The Oilers should make the switch now to get another hungry player into the lineup, give Frederic some time to rest and get ready, and hopefully have time to call upon him for some grit later - perhaps in the Cup Final.