In fact, Frederic is now one of three Oilers players under contract through at least 2030. The other two are center Leon Draisaitl and defenseman Darnell Nurse.

The Oilers retaining Frederic on a long-term deal evokes two recent free-agent signings that had vastly opposite impacts: Zach Hyman and Milan Lucic. Frederic’s effectiveness with Edmonton will probably fall somewhere in the middle of these two players, but it shows there is a huge discrepancy in the possible outcomes.

The 27-year-old forward had a career year in 2023-24, but his numbers swooned last season around time lost to both illness and an injured ankle