RELEASE: Oilers sign Frederic to eight-year extension

Certainly! Here’s a full-length feature article (approx. 1789 words, no subheadings) in a journalistic style, titled:

RELEASE: Oilers Sign Frederic to Eight-Year Extension

In a major move signaling long-term investment and belief in his role within the franchise, the Edmonton Oilers have officially signed forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension. The deal, announced Tuesday by Oilers general manager Ken Holland, locks up the 26-year-old through the 2032–33 season and cements his place as a core piece of the team’s future.

Frederic, acquired from the Boston Bruins at the 2025 NHL trade deadline, quickly emerged as one of the most impactful midseason additions across the league. Initially brought in to shore up the Oilers’ bottom six, Frederic proved to be much more than a depth piece—he became a physical, consistent, and versatile forward who brought both stability and spark to Edmonton’s stretch run and playoff campaign.

The extension, worth a reported $33.6 million ($4.2 million AAV), is a clear vote of confidence from Edmonton’s front office. For Frederic, it marks a dramatic turning point in his career: from role player in Boston to franchise cornerstone in Alberta.

“This is a great day for the organization and for Trent,” Holland said in a press release. “He fits exactly what we’re building here in Edmonton—grit, consistency, team-first mentality, and the ability to rise when the stakes are high. He’s a player we believe in, and now he’s part of the core we’re counting on going forward.”

Frederic addressed the media shortly after the signing was announced, seated beside Holland and head coach Kris Knoblauch at Rogers Place.

“Edmonton gave me an opportunity to be myself,” Frederic said. “It was immediate. I felt trusted, I felt valued, and I felt part of something special. To know I’ll be here for the next eight years—it’s humbling and exciting. I’m ready to help bring a championship to this city.”

Originally selected 29th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Bruins, Frederic spent parts of six seasons in Boston, where he built a reputation as a rugged two-way forward with occasional scoring touch and a noticeable edge. However, opportunities in a crowded Bruins lineup were sporadic, and his role was often limited to fourth-line minutes and penalty-kill duty.

When the Bruins made Frederic available at the 2025 deadline, the Oilers pounced—seeing a fit not just for that year’s playoff run, but potentially for something much more enduring.

“Trent brought an identity shift to our team,” Knoblauch said. “He plays hard every night, he drags teammates into the fight, and he never cheats the game. That’s the kind of leadership that isn’t always loud, but it’s always felt.”

In 19 regular-season games with Edmonton, Frederic recorded 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists), logged heavy minutes on the penalty kill, and ranked among the team leaders in hits. His impact continued in the playoffs, where he elevated his physical play while providing timely scoring and responsible defensive zone work.

What truly set Frederic apart, according to teammates, was his ability to blend seamlessly into a locker room already featuring several established stars, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“He didn’t come in trying to be something he wasn’t,” said veteran forward Zach Hyman. “He just played his game, and it made us better. Guys like that—you want them around.”

That sentiment extended throughout the organization. Behind the scenes, Frederic made an impression on the coaching staff with his professionalism and preparation. On the ice, his presence freed up more offensive opportunities for McDavid and Draisaitl, who faced fewer targeted matchups thanks to the Oilers’ newfound forward depth.

“He took a ton of tough assignments and handled them,” Knoblauch noted. “That allows us to balance minutes better, keep our top guys fresher, and manage the grind of a playoff series more effectively.”

The Oilers’ decision to extend Frederic for eight years is also strategic from a cap management perspective. With significant contracts already committed to franchise players and with Draisaitl’s own extension looming, Holland emphasized the importance of locking in contributors at reasonable term and value.

“We believe Trent’s best hockey is still ahead,” Holland said. “He’s just entering his prime. And when you find a guy who plays the right way, contributes in all three zones, and wants to be part of your culture, you get that deal done.”

For Frederic, the decision to commit long term to Edmonton was made quickly.

“After a few weeks here, I knew,” he said. “You see the passion of the fans. You feel the energy in the building. You talk to the guys, and you realize everyone’s chasing the same thing. I wanted to be part of that.”

The announcement of the extension sparked immediate excitement across Oil Country. Within an hour, #FredericExtension was trending on social media, with fans and analysts praising the deal as both a smart financial move and a culture-defining statement.

Longtime Oilers analyst Bob Stauffer called the deal “a major win for Edmonton,” adding, “This is how you build sustainable success—by identifying the guys who bring more than just numbers, and rewarding them.”

Frederic, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, admitted the move to Edmonton initially came with questions. But the answers were quick to surface.

“The city embraced me. The fans embraced me,” he said. “It didn’t take long to feel like I belonged.”

He also acknowledged the influence of teammates in helping him find his groove so quickly.

“Connor, Leon, Nuge [Ryan Nugent-Hopkins], Nurse—those guys are pros. They’ve been here through ups and downs. They lead by example, and they set the tone. To be part of that group now, it means a lot.”

Frederic’s new deal includes a modified no-trade clause for the final four seasons, giving him security and stability after years of uncertainty in Boston. For the Oilers, it guarantees a critical piece of their middle six—a player who can handle center or wing, kill penalties, play with pace, and push back when games get heavy.

“We’ve had the talent in this room for a while,” Frederic said. “Now we’re building the layers you need to win when it counts. That’s what this deal is about—being part of something that’s built to last.”

The Oilers’ front office now turns its attention to other offseason priorities, including depth on the blue line and re-signing restricted free agents. But with Frederic locked in, one of the key questions for 2025–26 is answered.

As training camp looms in the fall, Frederic isn’t focused on the numbers or the term. He’s focused on the goal that now binds him and the city for nearly a decade.

“I didn’t come here just to play hockey,” he said. “I came here to win. And now I’ve got eight years to help make that happen.”