The Edmonton Oilers are making it clear they’re planning for the future while remaining focused on winning now. On Friday, the team announced they had signed forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract worth $3.85 million annually.
The long-term commitment comes just days after the team traded veteran winger Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks. General Manager Stan Bowman addressed both moves, emphasizing age, cap flexibility, and team-building strategy as key reasons for the shift. With Frederic locked in and Kane moving on, the Oilers are entering a new phase of roster evolution.
Edmonton Banks on Youth and Flexibility in Locking Up Trent Frederic
Frederic may not be a household name yet, but the Edmonton Oilers believe in his long-term value. The 27-year-old forward, acquired from the Boston Bruins at the NHL Trade Deadline on March 4, has now earned an eight-year contract, giving Edmonton a younger, affordable option in their forward group for years to come.
Frederic’s cap hit of $3.85 million per year makes him a cost-effective addition for a team that is working to stay competitive while managing tight salary cap constraints.
In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Frederic played in all 22 of Edmonton’s games, tallying one goal and three assists. Though not a major offensive contributor, his physicality and defensive play stood out; he ranked fourth among Oilers forwards in hits and fifth in blocked shots, while averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per game.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Oilers GM Stan Bowman provided insight into the decision to commit to Frederic while parting ways with Kane. “I think Evander’s been that kind of player his whole career,” Bowman said. “The biggest difference between him and Freddie really comes down to age. Evander’s older, but he played very admirably in the playoffs. I’ve got to give him a lot of credit. I really enjoyed getting to know him. He’s a competitive guy.”
#Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman met with the media in Edmonton today following the #NHLDraft to discuss the coaching staff, Evan Bouchard & Connor McDavid’s contract negotiations & more.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/FcF8CM6HJI
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 28, 2025
Kane, 32, missed the entire regular season due to injuries but returned for the playoffs, where he contributed 12 points in 21 games. Despite that strong showing, the Oilers traded him to the Canucks on Wednesday in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Kane has one year remaining on his contract.
Bowman said the decision had more to do with the team’s long-term plans. “Ultimately, it came down to cap flexibility more than anything else, and the fact that Frederick is quite a bit younger,” he said. “That gives us a longer runway to work with. But the physical element Evander brings, that presence, was important in our playoff push, and we think it’ll continue to be important moving forward.”
Frederic spent seven seasons with the Bruins before joining the Oilers. Known more for his gritty, two-way game than high-end scoring, he fits the mold of a reliable depth player who can play a role on both ends of the ice. With this new deal, Edmonton is betting that Frederic’s contributions will grow over time.
By locking him up, the Oilers are signaling a move toward building a younger, more financially balanced core around stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. While trading a playoff-tested veteran like Kane may sting now, the long-term view points to stability and roster depth.
