Oilers Looking to Get Tough: Bruins Forward Rumored to be Trade Target

All season the Edmonton Oilers have been in the trade market for a top four defenceman, but new reports have connected the Oilers to bottom six center Trent Frederic of the Boston Bruins.

Earlier this week, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer mentioned that re-vamping the bottom six to add some toughness will be something the team addresses.

Stauffer has repeatedly brought up Trent Frederic as a potential option for the Edmonton Oilers.

“The suggestion on Trent Frederic, I could see a potential move there with Frederic.”

– Bob Stauffer, Oilers Now

Today, NHL insider Darren Dreger confirmed the Bruins may look to trade him, and added the Calgary Flames as an interested team.

Frederic is a 26 year old left shot centerman, who mostly plays a grinder defensive forward role in the bottom six.

The Bruins forward had a career year last season, scoring 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games. This season has taken a turn for the worse, along with the whole Bruins team, and Frederic had just 11 points and a -13 on ice rating.

Should the Oilers Pursue Trent Frederic in Trade for their Bottom Six Forward Group?

Right now, the Oilers fourth line is a particular weak point on an otherwise very strong team.

Jeff Skinner in particular is providing nothing on the fourth line, and it seems both parties could come together to facilitate a trade.

The Oilers bottom six is mostly constructed now of slower, defensive forwards. There’s also practically no one throwing hits outside of Vasili Podkolzin – the Oilers are last in the NHL in hits.

If Edmonton isn’t getting any scoring from a misused offensive player like Skinner in the fourth line, they should look to establish a real identity in their bottom six with another player.

A physical young forward who could tap in some goals, like Trent Frederic, would be a great option. His 103 hits this season would lead all Oilers by a significant margin.

Evander Kane will be a wild card to bring some physicality when he returns, but the Edmonton Oilers surely need to make an adjustment here. We’ll see what course of action they take.