Apr 5, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (21) and Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) grapple in front of the Los Angeles Kings net during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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Edmonton Oilers Trent Frederic Suffers Ankle Injury Setback

Edmonton forward Trent Frederic re-injures his ankle, raising concerns about his availability for the season's final stretch.

The Edmonton Oilers suffered yet another injury setback over the weekend when newly acquired forward Trent Frederic re-injured his ankle during his team debut against the Los Angeles Kings. The rugged winger, who was expected to bring a mix of physicality and depth scoring, is now sidelined for at least one game. According to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, Frederic will miss tonight’s contest against the Anaheim Ducks but is expected to return in time for the playoffs later this month.

Frederic’s unfortunate injury adds to a growing list of sidelined Oilers players, including stars like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, as well as key contributors Mattias Ekholm, John Klingberg, and Stuart Skinner. With so many absences, Edmonton now finds itself in a tight salary cap situation. Without enough financial flexibility to call up a replacement from their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers will have to play one skater short against Anaheim. However, they should be eligible to use the league’s $0 emergency exception to add a forward for their next game against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

Trent Frederic seems to be experiencing some discomfort after his first shift with the Oilers.

📹: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/Y2j4s91hvJ
— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) April 5, 2025

Frederic had a quiet debut with the Oilers, logging just over seven minutes of ice time. He registered two shots on goal but finished with a minus-two rating in Edmonton’s 3-0 loss to the Kings. The Oilers had high hopes when they acquired him from the Boston Bruins in a three-team trade that also involved the New Jersey Devils. The deal cost Edmonton a significant package, including forward prospect Shane Lachance, young defenseman Maximus Wanner, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick.

As a pending unrestricted free agent, Frederic was seen as a player who could inject some much-needed grit and secondary offense into the Oilers’ bottom six. While he has only 15 points in 58 games this season well below the career-high 40 points he posted last year in Boston—the Oilers believe he can rediscover his offensive touch in their high-powered system. However, his injury means he won’t get much of a transition period before the playoffs begin.

Despite the short-term roster challenges, Edmonton remains in a strong position. They are one win away from securing a playoff spot and have a comfortable eight-point lead over Calgary with six games remaining. While it’s never ideal to have multiple key players injured, the Oilers are fortunate that their postseason positioning is relatively secure. The focus now shifts to getting healthy in time for what they hope will be a deep playoff run.

Image Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!