NHL trade rumor: Edmonton Oilers eye bold eight-year deal in less than 24 hours after Stanley Cup loss
Edmonton Oilers during Game Five of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final (Credit: Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Final barely a day ago, but they are already shifting focus to offseason business. According to reports from Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports Network and Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers are in advanced talks to sign forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension.
The deal is expected to carry an average annual value around $4 million. It's a bold move, considering Frederic's limited impact during the postseason and the fact that the Oilers have major cap decisions looming. Frederic played in 22 playoff games but produced just one goal and four points.
Salary cap implications
of Frederic deal raise eyebrows
Edmonton currently holds just under $12 million in cap space, with 19 players signed for next season. With restricted free agent Evan Bouchard likely to command a sizeable raise and captain Connor McDavid eligible for an extension soon, dedicating a large portion of cap room to a bottom-six forward like Frederic has sparked debate.
Frederic is coming off a two-year, $4.6 million deal with a $2.3 million cap hit. If the rumored extension at $4 million AAV materializes, it would represent a significant raise for a player projected to fill a third-line role. His best season came with Boston in 2023-24, where he notched 18 goals and 40 points.
Stan Bowman wastes no time reshaping Oilers roster
This deal could be the first domino in what promises to be a pivotal offseason for the Oilers. The decision to jump on a max-term agreement with Frederic so soon after the Stanley Cup loss signals urgency from management to define the team's direction before free agency opens on July 1.
Read more:
NHL trade rumor: Mika Zibanejad's New York Rangers future sparks chatter after Irma Zibanejad calls out false reports
As the Oilers regroup from their Cup Final disappointment, all eyes will be on whether Bowman's gamble on Frederic is a savvy long-term investment or a premature commitment that limits future flexibility.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Historic! R Praggnanandhaa surpasses world champion D Gukesh in world chess rankings; all you need to know
R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh (Agency Photo) NEW DELHI: In a major milestone for Indian chess, R Praggnanandhaa has leapfrogged reigning world champion D Gukesh in the live FIDE rankings, marking a significant personal and national achievement. As of Saturday, Praggnanandhaa's live rating climbed to 2777.2, nudging past Gukesh's 2776.6. The 19-year-old prodigy is currently competing in the UzChess Cup Masters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a prestigious event hosted by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation that's quickly gaining global attention. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! After a draw in the opening round, Praggnanandhaa bounced back in style in Round 2, defeating Uzbekistan's Shamsiddin Vokhidov with the white pieces. World's top 10 in live rankings (Photo: He now leads the tournament standings with 1.5 points, tied with fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi and others. Praggnanandhaa's rise in the rankings is part of a broader Indian surge in world chess. Poll Do you believe India is experiencing a golden generation in chess? Yes, absolutely Maybe, it's possible No, it's too early to say Recently, India had four players in the global top 10 live ratings — Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Arjun, and the newly crowned Aravindh Chithambaram, who clinched the title at the 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial in Armenia. In that tightly contested event, Aravindh and Praggnanandhaa both scored 6.5/9, but Aravindh claimed the top spot on tie-break. ALSO READ: ' If there were chess tournaments in Bangladesh, why would I come to India?': 80-year-old Rani Hamid The two, who train together under coach RB Ramesh, pushed each other throughout the event. 'It was a good tournament for me,' Praggnanandhaa reflected, 'but I missed that one chance in Round 2... That win would've made the difference.' Despite that, Praggnanandhaa's consistent brilliance and recent form have now elevated him above even the world champion, a remarkable feat for a player still in his teens. With India's young guns dominating international chess and pushing each other to new heights, a golden generation may already be here. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Insider reveals Connor McDavid's next step could surprisingly be tied to Lauren Kyle's luxury ventures
Insider reveals Connor McDavid's next step could surprisingly be tied to Lauren Kyle's luxury ventures (Image via Getty) Connor McDavid's future with the Edmonton Oilers has been the center of many talks after the team's Stanley Cup loss. But now, a new reason is coming up, one that has nothing to do with hockey stats. It's personal, and it might be powerful enough to change everything. It's about his wife, Lauren Kyle, and her growing business life in Edmonton. Connor McDavid's future may depend on wife Lauren Kyle's growing ventures in Edmonton On June 20, 2025, NHL insider Chris Johnston shared a fresh update on The Chris Johnston Show about Connor McDavid's situation. According to Johnston, one big reason why Connor McDavid may stay with the Oilers is because of his wife Lauren Kyle's success as a businesswoman in Edmonton. 'She's an entrepreneur,' J ohnston said on the show. 'She just opened a bar in Edmonton and has a lot of different ventures.' He said that Connor McDavid is signed for an eleventh season, having lived in Edmonton for ten years. The idea here is that the couple has created a life together in the city. And now with Lauren Kyle supporting nearby companies, the roots appear to be deepening. However, Johnston also gave a small warning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid WellnessGuide Learn more Undo 'They have to give him a reason to stay,' he said, pointing to how the team must continue building a winning roster to keep their star captain interested. McDavid's close bond with teammate Leon Draisaitl could also be a big factor. Draisaitl, who is also his best friend, has just started his new eight-year contract with the team. That long-term deal could be another reason for McDavid to remain. Connor McDavid may choose a short-term contract to keep pressure on the Oilers While many expect Connor McDavid to sign a long deal, Johnston suggested something different. He said a shorter contract like four or five years is more likely than the usual eight-year max. Also Read: NHL Rumor: Connor McDavid Trade Buzz Grows As Tampa Bay Lightning Emerges As Surprise Option For Oilers Star 'I wouldn't be surprised if we're looking at a short-term deal,' Johnston said. 'Not because he wants to leave, but because it keeps his options open.' The idea is that a shorter deal would remind the Oilers that they must stay competitive. With only one season left on Connor McDavid's current contract, the pressure is now on Edmonton to prove they can win soon or risk losing their captain and star player. Johnston's full remarks can be heard starting at the 3:18 mark of the June 20 episode. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
While Taylor Swift is away, Travis Kelce and Brittany Mahomes share unexpected off-duty bonding moment
Travis Kelce and Brittany Mahomes share unexpected off-duty bonding moment while Taylor Swift is away (Getty Images) Amid the intense grind of preseason prep, the Kansas City Chiefs' superstars are finding rare moments to decompress — and it's not always as expected. With Taylor Swift absent from the spotlight, tight end Travis Kelce surprised fans by attending a concert where there was Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes sans Swift. Taylor Swift MIA as Travis Kelce and Brittany Mahomes share unexpected off-duty bonding moment While the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp sessions are underway and Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce continue to lead the charge on the field, Thursday night offered a brief but telling detour. Brittany Mahomes documented the outing on her Instagram, offering a rare peek into their off-field camaraderie. In one post, she shared a selfie video with Patrick, showing the couple enjoying a relaxed evening. But the more talked-about moment came in a follow-up post — one where Brittany posed with friends, including Travis Kelce. Although Taylor and Kelce were seen just days earlier attending Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final together, Swift wasn't present for this outing. Instead, Kelce appeared at ease, hanging out with Brittany and friends during a casual, fun-filled night that reflected the close-knit nature of the Chiefs' inner circle. It remains unclear whether Kelce arrived at the concert with the Mahomes couple or simply met them there, but the easy camaraderie on display certainly sparked attention. While fans are accustomed to seeing Kelce and Swift make high-profile appearances — including their recent date night at the Stanley Cup Final in Florida — this latest interaction had a different vibe. It underscored Kelce's ongoing connection with the Mahomes family, even when Swift isn't by his side. Sources recently told People that Swift, now free from the pressures of touring, 'plans to be at as many of his games as possible.' With a less demanding schedule this fall, the couple is expected to enjoy more grounded time together. 'They've both had such demanding schedules for so long, so having this stretch of time where things aren't quite as chaotic feels like a welcome change,' the insider added. Still, while Taylor is momentarily out of the frame, Travis Kelce's continued presence in the Mahomes' world tells us about the friendship and team spirit in Kansas City don't pause — not even in the offseason. Also Read: Fired for being Black? Ex-Chiefs staffer Ramzee Robinson sues team, calls out racial bias and cover-up Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
