FREDERIC IS ON TO THE OILERS
In a three-team trade, the Edmonton Oilers acquired forward Trent Frederic and winger Max Jones from the Boston Bruins, and winger Petr Hauser from the New Jersey Devils; Boston acquired defenseman Max Wanner, a second-round draft pick in 2025 and a fourth-round draft pick in 2026 from the Oilers; and New Jersey acquired winger Shane Lachance from the Oilers.
What does it give the Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are up against the salary cap and have a boatload of players who have no-movement clauses in their contracts. Therefore, creativity is needed in order to navigate through this trade deadline. Both the Bruins and Devils were needed to retain salary on Frederic, who is currently injured. He should help provide some size, snarl and versatility to the Oilers down the stretch. Jones adds forward depth, while Hauser is not much of a prospect thrown into this trade. The Oilers are not done, as they also want to add on defense and goaltending.
What does it give the Boston Bruins
Is this move a sign that the Bruins will be sellers before Friday's NHL trade deadline? Possibly. It also could mean that they intend to both buy AND sell. Frederic is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer, so he was always going to be moved at the deadline (even despite the fact that he is currently on IR). Wanner is strictly a defensive defenseman with modest potential, so the key to this deal is the second-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft. The Bruins also added a fourth-rounder in '26 to complete this transaction.
What does it give the
The Devils were included in this complicated three-team trade, as they were needed as a second team to retain salary on Frederic's contract. According to reports, New Jersey will retain $575,000 in exchange for winger prospect Lachance, the son of former NHL defenseman Scott Lachance. The younger Lachance is currently the captain of Boston University and is having a strong sophomore campaign. The Devils obviously like him better as an NHL prospect than the player they gave up in this trade (Hauser).
Fantasy impact
Frederic's fantasy value is completely up in the air because of his current injury (as well as his pending UFA status). He is unlikely to do much before the end of the 2024-25 regular season. It may be time to drop him in some league formats. Lachance, Jones and Hauser are unlikely to become fantasy options, while Wanner is not a fantasy defenseman at all.
