With the Stanley Cup Final underway and redemption-driven Edmonton locked in a rematch with Florida, the focus is naturally on the present. But around Rogers Place, there are early signs pointing to the future as well– something more lasting than a single postseason run. It’s rare, in the thick of June hockey, to see hints of stability. And yet, in Edmonton, two such signs have surfaced: one confirmed, the other still whispering its way around the building, both hinting at who might stick around for the long haul. 

The first came from Corey Perry, who, ahead of Game 1 against Florida, confirmed he isn’t done yet. “That’s the plan is to be back next year, yeah,” he said during media day at Rogers Place. At 40, Perry is eyeing his 21st NHL season and sees no reason to slow down. “It’s just not in me to think about it,” he said when asked about retirement. “I love playing, I love being around the room, and I don’t think that’s going to come to my head anytime soon.” He signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal last July and has since put up 30 points in the regular season and 10 (7 goals, 3 assists) in 16 playoff games.

Perry’s presence in Edmonton is more than professional. At media day, his 7-year-old son Griffin sat beside him in a blue suit, grinning through interviews. “This is why I’m still playing,” Perry said. “To have him have an opportunity to touch the Stanley Cup. It’s something I want to give him.” This is Perry’s sixth Stanley Cup Final appearance and fifth in the past six seasons. He’s now tied with Petr Sykora as the only players in the 16-team playoff era to reach this stage six times, yet he’s still chasing one more ring for his kid to remember. But Perry isn’t the only deadline acquisition whose future is drawing attention. In a YouTube segment with Sportsnet on June about the ongoing drama between the hockey juggernauts, Elliotte Friedman dropped an interesting nugget about an ex-Bruins star during a live segment with Kyle Bukauskas. 

“I have to tell you,” Friedman said, “one of the things that’s being rumored around here is that Trent Frederic might be sticking around.” His co-host’s surprised reaction said enough—this wasn’t a widely expected development. Friedman quickly added, “I can’t imagine we’re going to find out during the Final. They’ve got more important things to worry about, but that was something I heard in and around the building tonight.” That said, Trent Frederic’s arrival in Edmonton wasn’t without complications. 

Acquired from Boston in a three-team deal before the deadline, one that cost the Oilers two picks and two prospects, Frederic was seen as a tough, bottom-six forward who could bring grit to their playoff push. But he was injured at the time of the trade and logged just one regular-season game before another setback took him out again. He’s since returned for the playoffs, playing in all 18 games and registering four points, 66 hits, and a solid 12-for-19 showing in the faceoff circle. His ice time has hovered around 11 minutes a night, and while his scoring hasn’t popped, his physical presence has helped balance the Oilers’ forward group.

Cap-wise, Edmonton doesn’t have much flexibility this summer, especially with Evan Bouchard due for a significant raise. But Frederic’s mixed season, marked by injury and a midseason dip in production, likely means his market won’t balloon, making a short-term extension more plausible. Contract projections vary: Evolving Hockey sees a three-year, $2.7 million AAV deal as most likely, while AFP Analytics pegs it higher at $3.5 million over two years. Either way opens the door to a shorter-term, team-friendly deal if both sides are aligned. For a player looking to reset his value on a contending roster and a team seeking low-cost depth that already fits their system, the groundwork is there. That’s what makes Friedman’s remark feel more than just passing chatter; it reflects mutual incentive that may very well be already in motion.

But before any of this can happen, the Oilers have a tough uphill climb ahead, which could have a say in Trent’s future with the team.

The Edmonton Oilers’ triumphant run continues, albeit with a few fumbles

The Edmonton Oilers made it to the playoffs as the 3rd seed of the Pacific Division with 101 points to their name. However, in the postseason, Kris Knoblauch’s boys defeated both of their divisional comrades who finished the regular season above the Oilers. In the first round, Edmonton eliminated the LA Kings. This was the fourth-straight year that Los Angeles had to succumb to the Oilers and end their playoff campaign. In Round 2, things got intense.

Seeking revenge for what the Vegas Golden Knights did to Leon Draisaitl in 2023, the Oilers managed to even the scores this time around. With a 4-1 victory in the best-of-7 series against the Knights, the Edmonton team reached the Western Conference Finals, where they defeated the Dallas Stars by the same margin once again. The momentum carried forward to the Stanley Cup Finals as well, as Coach Knoblauch’s squad bagged a narrow 4-3 victory against the defending champions, the Panthers, at Rogers Place in Game 1.

However, the Cats quickly turned things around with a thumping 5-4 double OT victory at the Oilers’ backyard in Game 2, thanks to Brad Marchand’s historic feat on Friday night. Now, as the action returns to Amerant Bank Arena, could Trent Frederic and his teammates get back to their winning ways as their quest for revenge against the Panthers for the 2024 loss continues? What say you?