The Edmonton Oilers lost a second consecutive Stanley Cup to the Florida Panthers, notwithstanding talents like Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers failed to redeem themselves this year from the pain of the 2024 defeat. Trent Frederic didn’t make it any better for the team. However, he was signed to an eight-year contract extension nonetheless.

Frederic’s playoff performance was underwhelming. The 27-year-old had four points in 22 playoff games with the Oilers. How could an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $3.85 million be justified in this context?

Trent Frederic of the Edmonton Oilers Could Recover his Lost Spark

This offseason is crucial for the Oilers. The fans, still dealing with a second consecutive failed Stanley Cup pursuit, expect the management to make moves that put the team back on its path to glory.

However, at first glance, a contract extension for Frederic doesn’t seem aligned with those interests. His performance was forgettable. “…can you remember any of Frederic’s hits? Few of them were intimidating or explosive, few won the puck for himself or his team. He lacked the pop in his stride to fully level opposing players. His physical play led to few scoring chances.”

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

Not many were on board with the contract extension. But the recent memory of the Stanley Cup loss and the 27-year-old’s underwhelming performance can blur judgment. Frederic is young and has yet to pass his prime.

The forward was dealing with a devastating ankle injury the whole time, which hindered his ability to give his best during the playoffs. But if he utilizes the offseason to rest and recover, he could prove himself worthy of the contract. “Again, remember that key rule of player evaluation.”

Read More: Stan Bowman Addresses Controversial 8-Year Deal for Trent Frederic Over Evander Kane

“If an NHLer is suddenly playing weak hockey– and he’s got a history of playing strong hockey– the most likely cause for the drop in performance is injury. It’s the case about 80 per cent of the time, I reckon, though it’s hard to know because often injuries go unreported and players keep playing even while hurt.”

Corey Perry was in a similar situation and bounced back to deliver a phenomenal performance in the playoffs, proving the naysayers wrong. Frederic is younger and more resilient than Perry. The 27-year-old forward will likely utilize the downtime to recover and salvage his dormant potential. With the cap space expected to rise in the coming seasons, Frederic could be an excellent deal for the Oilers.