Edmonton Oilers forward Trent Frederic discussed how the high ankle sprain he suffered in the tail end of the 2024–25 season affected much of last year.

As you know, last season was a struggle. He couldn’t seem to get his footing in the lineup, likely due to his limited training time last summer. Playing through that injury in the 2024-25 playoffs took its toll.

“Going back last summer, I wasn’t able to skate until around probably now, started just barely getting on the ice again,” said Frederic. “For me, I think after the (Olympic) break, I would say I was probably as close as 100 per cent as I had been before the injury.

Frederic found himself in the crosshairs after signing a max-term, eight-year contract, but struggled offensively and with foot speed for long stretches of the season. In total, he’d score four goals and seven points. However, his NHL Edge numbers showed a growing top speed as the second half of the season wore on, and his goal share metrics improved, too.

However, he did find himself in the press box as a healthy scratch, including Games 5 and 6 of the first-round series against Anaheim. When asked whether he felt lost in the shuffle with coach Kris Knoblauch, especially after starting on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to start the season, then quickly dropping in the lineup  — he agreed.

“I would say that’s fair,” he said. “I don’t think I started off great. Those two games you talked about, I think we were pretty good, playing with the two best players.