Oilers have one final option to try with the struggling Trent Frederic, per NHL analyst
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
According to NHL analyst Michael Menzies, the Oilers have to try one final option with the struggling Trent Frederic, and that's to have him kill penalties.
Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman may not be able to take back the decision to give Trent Frederic the max-term contract, but nevertheless, the organization has to find a way to make the best out of it.
As NHL analyst Michael Menzies outlined, the deal has gone about as poorly as expected, leaving the Oilers in salvage mode rather than solution mode.
It is apparent that Frederic has limitations offensively, and playing him in and out of the lineup has not been beneficial for him or for Edmonton. However, there are hopeful signs that Frederic has skills that can be used.
What Trent Frederic has shown he's capable of
He always appears willing to meet opponents physically, and his brawl with Logan Stanley went a long way towards Edmonton getting an edge against Winnipeg on Thursday.
With Adam Henrique being sat out until after the Olympic break, the penalty-killing unit in the Edmonton lineup has lost one of its more prominent forwards.
This is an opportunity that Kris Knoblauch has yet to pursue in regards to Frederic being used as a penalty killer; he has an NHL-worthy penalty-killing skillset from earlier in his career, according to Menzies.
"Edmonton Oilers one thing left to try with Trent Frederic: killing penalties.
- Michael Menzies
- Michael Menzies
Why killing penalties would be nothing new for Trent Frederic
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Frederic had more than 51 minutes of penalty killing time with the Boston Bruins.
This would have put him near the top of the Edmonton roster in terms of forwards. He has had significant PK ice time in other seasons in the NHL, too.
Frederic is likely not being traded anywhere in the future. Edmonton needs to realize the situation and attempt to move in a different direction. A possible way to keep Frederic involved could be to use him in penalty kill minutes.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 10 | 139 ANSWERS Oilers have one final option to try with the struggling Trent Frederic, per NHL analyst Should the Oilers use Trent Frederic on the penalty kill? | ||
| Yes | 78 | 56.1 % |
| No | 61 | 43.9 % |
| List of polls | ||