The New Jersey Devils are preparing for what should be a very busy summer. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald wants to improve the team's roster this off-season after their quick post-season exit.
When looking at the Devils' lineup, one clear area that they should look to improve is their bottom six. Due to this, one player who they should make a serious push for if he hits the free-agent market on July 1 is Edmonton Oilers forward Trent Frederic.
Frederic had a bit of a tough regular-season in 2024-25 split between the Boston Bruins and Oilers, posting eight goals and 15 points in 58 games. While he had a bit of a down, there is clear reason to believe he can bounce back offensively next season.
Frederic has also shown during his career that he can produce solid secondary scoring when playing at his best. In 82 games with the Bruins in 2023-24, he set career highs with 18 goals, 22 assists, and 40 points. This was after he had 17 goals and 31 points in 79 contests with Boston in 2022-23. Thus, he could give the Devils' bottom six more offense next season if he bounces back.
Yet, besides his offensive potential, Frederic is an impactful player because of his extremely physical style of play. In 58 games this campaign, he had a notable 157 hits. This is after he posted a career-high 204 hits in 2023-24 with Boston. Furthermore, he also offers strong versatility, being able to play both down the middle and on the wing.
Overall, with the Devils' bottom six due for a makeover, Frederic could be worth taking a shot on with a short-term deal. The St. Louis, Missouri native provides a bit of everything when performing at his best, and he could be a nice pickup for New Jersey because of it.
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