The Edmonton Oilers, renowned for being the defending champions of the Western Conference, have proactively moved in the NHL trade market by acquiring Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins. This significant transaction comes just days ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
In exchange for the rugged forward Frederic, Edmonton traded their 2025 second-round and 2026 fourth-round draft picks, along with promising prospect Max Wanner. As part of the deal, the New Jersey Devils agreed to retain half of Frederic’s $2.3 million salary. Moreover, the Devils obtained rights to unsigned draft pick Shane Lachance from the Oilers and Petr Hauser from the Bruins.
The Bruins, vying for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, have started restructuring their roster through this trade. Among the notable players whose contracts might affect future Bruins trades is captain Brad Marchand. Though Marchand, who shares a similar free-agent status with Frederic, has expressed a desire to remain with Boston for his entire career, he currently contends with an injury that has marked him as week-to-week.
Securing Frederic adds a formidable toughness to Edmonton’s lineup, a strategic move to bolster the team as they aspire for another deep playoff journey. This initiative is poised to support key players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, especially after their last year’s attempt which stretched to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final before being halted by Florida. Additionally, the Oilers acquired depth forward Max Jones, enhancing their squad for the challenges ahead.
The trade deadline is fast approaching, set for Friday at 3 p.m. EST. Meanwhile, another movement in the league concerns Jake Evans. The forward solidified his future with the Montreal Canadiens by signing a four-year, $11.4 million contract extension, ensuring his tenure extends beyond this season.
