Oilers appear ready to make $30.8 million forward a healthy scratch against Devils
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Trent Frederic looks set to be a healthy scratch for the Oilers in New Jersey tonight, and he's carrying a $30.8 million contract.
Trent Frederic appears to be headed for the press box tonight, and that's going to turn heads given the money attached to his name.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer reported from morning skate in New Jersey that Frederic was the extra forward, which almost always means a healthy scratch against the Devils.
Colton Dach, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kasperi Kapanen made up the second line, with Alex Formenton, Jason Dickinson and Mathieu Joseph on the third.
Max Jones, Owen Michaels and Filip Hallander took the fourth line reps, and Frederic was left out of all four groups.
The $30.8 million question
The Oilers signed Frederic to an eight-year contract on June 27, 2025.
The deal is worth $30.8 million in total, which works out to a $3.85 million cap hit every season through 2032-33.
We're only in year two of that commitment, and the early returns aren't pretty.
Frederic has one goal and one point in 13 games this season, with 18 penalty minutes and just under 10 minutes of ice time a night.
This also won't be his first trip to the press box this year.
How we got here
Edmonton picked him up in a three-team trade with Boston and New Jersey back in March 2025, hoping he'd bring some bite to the lineup.
Injuries slowed him right away, and last season he finished with four goals and seven points in 74 games.
Fourth line minutes are tough to come by when the depth forwards are fighting for the same spots, and tonight Frederic is on the wrong side of that battle.
The Oilers will look to keep their road momentum going when the puck drops in New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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