The Edmonton Oilers are dealing with injuries that have affected their lineup in recent games. The team has made changes across positions while maintaining results.
As the regular season moves toward its final stretch, updates on player availability have become more important, including the latest information on Trent Frederic and his recovery.
What Oilers GM Stan Bowman Said About Trent Frederic’s Injury
The Oilers recently shared a clearer picture of Frederic’s situation after he exited a game earlier this month, with general manager Stan Bowman explaining where things stand. Speaking on “Oilers Now,” Bowman noted that Frederic had started to play better before the injury interrupted that progress.
“Yeah, Frederic was starting to get his game going. So that’s, that’s the tough part. But sometimes, you know, that’s the way this game goes. Nice to see him put, put some good efforts together consecutively. So he’s out, he’s not on LTI, so, it’ll be more when he’s ready. So I think that, he’s improving, and I don’t have a timeline on that, but, you know, it’s, it’s not something where we think he’s gonna be out, like, a long time.”
Frederic suffered the injury on March 19 against the Florida Panthers during the second period while forechecking. He fell on his final shift of the period and did not return for the rest of the game. Even though he left the ice on his own, the team later confirmed he would miss time without setting a fixed return date.
Last Friday, head coach Kris Knoblauch also addressed the situation, stating that Frederic would be out but did not provide a timeline. The uncertainty comes at a difficult moment for the Oilers, who are already missing several players, including Leon Draisaitl, which has reduced their depth.
As a result, the team has made roster adjustments, including recalling Roby Jarventie and James Hamblin to help fill the gap. Frederic’s absence is noticeable not only because of his role but also because the team had started to see improvement in his recent games.
Frederic has recorded 4 goals and 2 assists in 67 games this season, but his role has focused more on physical play and support minutes. He is second on the team with 170 hits and averages 10:45 of ice time, mainly in a bottom-six role.
Earlier in the season, he went through a long scoring drought, including a 28-game stretch without a point, but he had started to improve before the injury, with 3 points in his last 12 games.
His underlying numbers also showed better impact during that stretch, especially in creating chances and controlling play. That progress now pauses as he works his way back, while the Oilers continue to manage their lineup carefully.
Frederic remains under his eight-year, $30.8 million contract signed in 2025, and although his production has been questioned, the team appears patient with his recovery. Bowman’s update suggests the focus is on letting him return when ready rather than setting a strict timeline.
Trent Frederic isn’t a d-man