Oilers keep star with key $30.8 million contract decision amid McDavid, Bouchard rumors

The Edmonton Oilers will have bigger contract decisions to make soon enough.

But on Friday morning, they locked up one of their key depth pieces for a long time.

TSN's Darren Dreger reports that Trent Frederic is on board with an eight-year contract worth $3.85 million annually, which is $30.8 million in total value.

Frederic is 27 years old. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound center only came to Edmonton at the end of the 2024-25 season and played in a single regular season game before getting some time in the playoffs.

He had spent the first seven years of his NHL career with Boston.

With the Bruins, Frederic had 55 goals and 54 assists in 337 games.

He also has 672 hits and 157 blocks in his NHL career.

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He's the grit the Oilers need on their bottom lines after throwing the skill and grace of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the ice for a while.

The Oilers' next order of business is likely an extension for defenseman Evan Bouchard. And then it'll be McDavid sometime in the next 365 days.

But on Friday, it was Frederic that learned his future will be in Edmonton.

MORE NHL NEWS: 

• Penguins could trade Erik Karlsson
• Evan Bouchard could get a ton of money from the Oilers
• Stars make final decision on Jamie Benn
• Bruins defenseman leaving Boston for contract in Russia
• Jake Allen has a big price tag
• Connor McDavid could make a decision that shocks the NHL