The Edmonton Oilers have struggled through the first month of the season. Right-winger Zach Hyman’s injury absence has created a significant void in the team’s offense. Head coach Kris Knoblauch responded by uniting his two superstars on the top line.
However, 15 games into the campaign, the franchise has failed to capitalize on the new configuration. Sitting at 6-5-4, Edmonton remains inconsistent. Now, a former Stanley Cup champion believes a current Oilers forward needs to embrace a different role to unlock the team’s potential.
What Does Mike Rupp Want From Trent Frederic on The Oilers’ Top Line?
The Oilers have floundered early this season. While pairing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together seemed logical, the results have been disappointing. Some analysts argue the team performs worse when both stars share a line.
Rather than allowing combinations time to develop chemistry, Knoblauch has abandoned lineups at the first sign of trouble. However, former Stanley Cup champion Mike Rupp has been closely monitoring the situation.
According to Rupp, right winger Trent Frederic, deployed alongside McDavid and Draisaitl, hasn’t fulfilled his role on the top line. In a recent interview, Rupp explained his philosophy on non-scoring contributors.
“By nature, I wasn’t a guy who initiated things, but I would stand up for my teammates in a second. I had to learn that sometimes your role is to be a lightning rod,” he said.
Rupp believes even if Frederic can’t score consistently, he should create space and opportunities for his elite linemates through physical play and drawing penalties.
Frederic’s offensive impact has been minimal. His chemistry with McDavid and Draisaitl clearly lags behind other forward combinations the Oilers have tried. However, Rupp argued Frederic can still provide value without lighting the lamp.
“When you go out there and poke and prod guys, then the focus gets more on you, and it can get teams out of their focus,” he told Jason Gregor. The implication is clear that Frederic should agitate opponents, draw attention away from McDavid and Draisaitl, and create chaos that his skilled linemates can exploit.
Frederic is in the first year of an eight-year, $30.8 million contract with Edmonton. Through 15 games, he’s managed just one goal. Those numbers are alarmingly low for someone the coaching staff has entrusted with top-line minutes alongside generational talents.
Rupp understands that not every forward can produce elite offensive numbers. However, he believes Frederic must embrace being the “lightning rod,” the physical presence who absorbs attention, creates space, and allows McDavid and Draisaitl to operate with more freedom.
Whether Frederic can adapt his game to meet those expectations will significantly impact Edmonton’s ability to climb the Pacific Division standings.
I agree, I have said for years that when the oilers are playing hard-nosed, rough, heavy hitting game, they win. Almost every time they play that style they win the game. Even with Kane gone, they have the guys to do it. They have the size with Walman, Nurse, Frederick, Draisaitl, Ekholm, and several others. With all these guys throwing their body around, like Rupp says their focus is now on those 5 or 6 guys. Now the ice is wide open for McDavid, Draisaitl, and every other capable players they have on each line. I don’t understand why they don’t continue that type of play every game. Maybe they don’t realize it works when they do, I don’t know. I know they need to find a way to put the foot on the peddle and get moving, and fast.