The Edmonton Oilers' decision to healthy scratch veteran winger Trent Frederic for their recent game against the Calgary Flames has sparked considerable debate, with many linking the move to an incident involving captain Connor McDavid in the previous game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
During Tuesday night's game against Toronto, McDavid took a hit from Brandon Carlo after receiving a pass from Frederic. Following the hit, Frederic skated towards the bench, seemingly not engaging with Carlo or checking on McDavid. This perceived lack of response drew criticism from fans and analysts, who felt Frederic, acquired to provide a physical presence and protect his star teammate, had failed to do so.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch's decision to scratch Frederic against Calgary, a heated rivalry game traditionally known for its physicality, fueled speculation that it was a direct response to the Toronto incident. While Knoblauch did not explicitly state this as the reason, the timing and circumstances suggest that Frederic's actions, or lack thereof, played a significant role.
"After the embarrassing play yesterday, it seems like a message from the coaching staff," one report stated, highlighting the sentiment that the scratching was a form of accountability.
Beyond the McDavid incident, Frederic's overall performance this season has been underwhelming. In 55 games, he has recorded just 2 goals and 3 points with a minus 13 rating. These statistics, coupled with a perceived lack of physicality, have led to questions about his fit within the Oilers' lineup and the value he brings to the team, especially considering his 8-year, $30.8 million contract.
"When Andrew Mangiapane is staying in the lineup over Frederic, you know things have gone badly," noted one observer, pointing to the fact that Curtis Lazar was chosen to play over Frederic.
Some analysts argue that Frederic's struggles may stem from a high ankle sprain sustained last year, which has seemingly affected his speed and overall effectiveness. Others suggest that the Oilers may have overestimated his abilities and fit within the team's system.
Regardless of the specific reasons, Frederic's healthy scratch serves as a wake-up call and a message from the coaching staff. Whether he can rebound from this and become the player the Oilers envisioned remains to be seen. For now, he will need to work to regain his place in the lineup and demonstrate that he can contribute both on and off the ice.
The Calgary Flames' projected lineup for the game against the Oilers included forwards Yegor Sharangovich, Mikael Backlund, Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, Nazem Kadri, Joel Farabee, Jonathan Huberdeau, Morgan Frost, and Matvei Gridin. The defense was projected to consist of Kevin Bahl, Zach Whitecloud, Yan Kuznetsov, MacKenzie Weegar, Joel Hanley, and Zayne Parekh, with Devin Cooley in goal.