HOME     POLLS     SEARCH

TRENDING NOW


Oilers' Experiment With Trent Frederic on Connor McDavid's Line Raises New Concerns


PUBLICATION
Daniel Lucente
September 25, 2025  (9:50)
SHARE THIS STORY
FOLLOW US

Edmonton Oilers' Trent Frederic skates during a hockey game
Photo credit: Edit from NHL Trade Rumors

Oilers' Trent Frederic played on the team's top line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and some concerns have been raised after last night's loss.

The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday in their fourth pre-season game at Rogers Place, and everyone had eyes on Trent Frederic as he skated with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Frederic's eight-year deal has been the talk, and yes, that tale isn't going away anytime soon, but the question is how he will blend in this lineup.
His initial experience with the Oilers was not encouraging, recording only four points (1G, 3A) during 22 playoff games, but with an ankle now healed and an off-season in which to fully train, this season is an opportunity to start anew.
Many are eager to see what Frederic has to offer when fully settled in, as many Oilers fans were only able to catch him playing part-time while playing for Boston.
The game on Wednesday was an early challenge: how would Frederic adjust with two of the globe's best players?
Line combinations will cycle through tens of thousands of times before the season's end, but building chemistry with McDavid and Draisaitl might be a significant portion of repairing Edmonton's continued depth issues.

Trent Frederic wasn't Very Noticeable in His First Game on the Team's Top Line

The game against Seattle was disappointing. It wasn't a comprehensive effort from top to bottom on the roster, but perhaps Frederic could have done more, considering the talent he had around him last night.
"The problem, of course, is that we didn't get many moments in last night's attempt to suggest we're on our way. That's not to say I'm singling Frederic out - there weren't many banner performances by any of the Oilers, frankly - but I was hopeful that he'd find a way to stand out given the calibre of his linemates. One pre-season performance doesn't mean much of anything in the grand scheme of things, but we're going to need the big man to get himself going."

- Oilers Nation
One preseason game won't be the determinant, but it made clear how much Frederic needs to return to his level of play. The Oilers don't need him as a complementary piece; they need him to impact games.
The thing is, he has time on his side. But the spotlight will always be there, and the pressure only mounts from here.
POLL
1 HOUR AGO   |   4 ANSWERS
Oilers' Experiment With Trent Frederic on Connor McDavid's Line Raises New Concerns

Did you like what you saw from Trent Frederic on the top line?


HOCKEYLATEST.COM
COPYRIGHT @2025 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS  -  POLICIES