Edmonton Oilers fans sound off on Trent Frederic's puzzling extension
The eight-year contract extension between the Edmonton Oilers and Trent Frederic became official on Friday morning.
There had been plenty of reports about an eight-year extension between the two parties over the last week, making today’s news rather unsurprising. Many Oilers fans, however, had hoped that the initial reports would be proven incorrect.
This is because the Oilers are already in cap trouble, proven by the fact that they traded Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks for just a fourth-round pick.
While moving Kane’s contract off the books was a wise decision, signing a player like Frederic — who has had just one 40-point season — to an eight-year deal seems questionable at best. The $3.85 million cap hit it carries is far from ideal, either.
FREDDY‼️
The #Oilers have signed forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.85 million.#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/HO1afzlRsR
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 27, 2025
Frederic was acquired by the Oilers at the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins, but was able to play in just one regular-season game due to injury. He appeared in 22 playoff games, but was essentially a non-factor throughout, scoring just one goal and four points.
In Frederic’s defence, he was believed to be playing at far less than 100 per cent, though based on what Oilers fans witnessed, they are not at all happy with this extension.
I’m trying to find the people who think this is a good signing.
🪨
👀— Mr-E (@VADC20016) June 27, 2025
Never sign support guys for that term-thats terrible.
— Jack Hammer (@CrownedHead81) June 27, 2025
The fact that the contract also carries a full no-movement clause through the first four years, followed by a 10 and 20-team no-trade list over the final four was something that also irked many Oilers supporters.
Why would you give him 8 years and trade protection?
— Crowbite (@Crowbite2) June 27, 2025
The majority of users on Instagram were equally baffled by the news, though some do believe that it can, and will, pay off down the road.
“That contract could turn into a steal,” one user wrote. “There’s a reason Bruins fans called him baby Brad [Marchand].”
@edmontonoilers/Instagram
How Frederic performs next season when back to full health will ultimately be the tell-tale sign of this contract, but as of right now, it seems like a rather unnecessary risk from Oilers management.
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