ANAHEIM — Trent Frederic`s return to the Edmonton Oilers` lineup was abruptly halted after just six seconds on the ice due to his high ankle sprain flaring up again. Having played sparingly for just over seven minutes total as an Oiler, it appears he is once again facing time away from the game.
Frederic, who was brought in at the trade deadline to bolster the Oilers` top-six forward group with size and physicality, only managed 7 minutes and 10 seconds of ice time in his debut against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. He was absent from Monday`s morning skate in Anaheim, indicating he will not be available for the game against the Anaheim Ducks.
This setback is a significant blow for the Oilers, who are already dealing with a number of key injuries to players such as Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm, Evander Kane, and goaltender Stuart Skinner. With only six games remaining before the playoffs begin, the team is facing challenges in maintaining their roster strength.
Frederic`s acquisition by Edmonton on March 4 was part of a three-team trade that also brought fourth-line winger Max Jones to the team. Frederic initially sustained the high ankle sprain in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 25.
The Oilers` medical staff conducted a thorough evaluation before acquiring Frederic, aware of his injury and the expected recovery period. However, the exact duration of his absence with this type of injury is always uncertain.
Initially, Frederic`s debut for Edmonton was planned against the Ducks. However, when Leon Draisaitl was injured on Thursday night in San Jose, Frederic`s return was expedited, moving his debut up by two days to the game against the Kings.
Frederic started the game against Los Angeles and immediately made his presence felt with a significant hit along the boards near the Kings` bench. He briefly left the ice just six seconds into the first period. He returned to the game later in the first period, around the 12:22 mark, and was observed testing his ankle during a TV timeout.
Frederic played regular shifts for a portion of the game but his last shift concluded with 14 minutes and 51 seconds remaining in the third period of a 2-0 game, and he did not return to the ice afterwards.
