Oilers Take “Drastic Measure” with Trent Frederic Over Holidays

Trent Frederic didn’t play in Sunday’s game versus the Vegas Golden Knights, and it’s unlikely he sees action for the Edmonton Oilers until the holidays are over. Calling it a “reset”, head coach Kris Knoblauch believes that Frederic is still a big part of the team, but he’s struggling and needs to step away.

Knoblauch was asked how he thinks Frederic is going to respond to being a healthy scratch, something some might classify as a drastic measure.

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“Very drastic measure,” said Knoblauch. He added:

“I believe Trent is going to come back into the lineup and be a big part of our team moving forward, whether that’s next game, a week down the road, or whenever it is. I think it’s really important that Trent has a reset and can step away. You see it a lot — whether it’s a healthy scratch, or in the playoffs, where guys underperform during the regular season, then the first game of the playoffs hits, and it’s a new season, and they’re fantastic.”

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This isn’t likely to be a one game thing, where Frederic suddenly says, ‘Oh, they benched me, I’d better play harder.’ Knoblauch believes that something is off with Frederic’s game and that he needs time to build up his confidence, take a little break, and come back renewed after the holiday season.

“I think it’s just that idea of seeing the scoring reset and everyone having zeros across the board. It feels like a fresh start. With Trent, I’m not sure he comes in next game, but eventually he’ll be back in the lineup. He just needs a little break, to find his game, and then come back. Because I think he has a lot to offer this team,” said the coach.

Is His Injury From Last Season Still Impacting Frederic’s Game?

Knoblauch was asked if there are lingering issues from Frederic’s injury last season that are still impacting his performance. It was clear he wasn’t himself last season, and if that’s slowing him down or making him hesitant, it could explain why the forward isn’t embracing the role Edmonton had envisioned for him.

“I don’t know if it’s fair for me to say that he’s 100 percent over it. I know he’s been cleared, and I don’t want to say it’s not bothering him. From what I know, he’s fairly healthy, but maybe there are still some side effects.”

He noted, “Trent’s a pretty proud guy. I think he plays through a lot of pain, and under the circumstances, I don’t think there’s pain from this injury specifically. But no, I don’t think it’s fair for me to say with absolute certainty that he isn’t experiencing some side effects.”

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