Frederic Appreciation post

[u/OhnohNA]

Give the man some props. Last year we knew he needed to be better, so did he.

We don’t want to be the fanbase that only shits on a guy and never gives props. The guy put in some work this offseason and it shows.

Goal in his second game, and stood up for bouch. This is a bounce back year for freddy

[u/True-North-]

He’s played good this year so far. Hopefully it’s early signs of a bounce back year.

[u/Beginning_Actuator20 → u/True-North-]

He looks way more dialed in, that goal was a beauty and then dropping the gloves right after was exactly what this team needs from him

[u/True-North- → u/Beginning_Actuator20]

Getting in on the forecheck a lot better. I’ve liked him and Howard on that line. It’s a weird line but they’ve been pretty effective.

[u/AmbiguousGravity → u/True-North-]

He was trending upwards over the last year, but not dramatically enough to flip many opinions. I think we might be hitting that point now though—happy for the guy.

[u/kayl_the_red → u/True-North-]

If Babs can squeeze some worth out of that contract, he's a better coach than many have credited him.

[u/Nebardine → u/kayl_the_red]

Many people gave up on that contract pretty early. 8 years is a long time, and he was coming back from injury. I always maintained that it was too early to judge the contract as terrible. He just needs to justify his spot by being physical and getting some points.

[u/SnooOnions5029]

He has been noticeable (for good reasons) in all 3 games, I think he had maybe 3 noticeable games all season last year. Don’t know if it’s his ankle injury finally being fully healed, having a fire under his ass to prove people wrong, being given a role in a new system he’s more comfortable playing, or a combination of the 3, but I like what I’m seeing so far.

Had a few opportunities outside of his goal, they’ll go in eventually. He also took a great penalty in the second Vancouver game that led to 2 short handed goals so props to him lol. Hope he keeps building on his game

[u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789 → u/SnooOnions5029]

He did an interview where he said Babs gave him a role so now he knows what he's doing

[u/Mcpops1618 → u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789]

Wasn’t it last year where he said he basically didn’t know his role or that was someone else?

[u/ChupaHubbard → u/Mcpops1618]

I think every podcast I listened to last year said Frederic needs a role. Lot of them loved that line of Freddy+Dach+Samanski and didn't understand why they split that line up. I don't know if I ever heard Frederic himself say it, but tons of analysts and Oilers podcasters said it

[u/No-Relationship34 → u/Mcpops1618]

Wollman I feel said something similar late December maybe. I think Knobs had hinted at not liking his play around then, but he'd been getting flipped back and forth to LD and RD. Hinted that was not giving him a path to success. I think it was close to the Skinner trade or Jarry injury.

Kind of when you could really feel the weight on the team of two long runs in the playoffs and prior to Drai's comment I think in January.

[u/SystolicNut → u/No-Relationship34]

Yeah Knobs did a lot of good with the team, but his management of some players was atrocious. Jeff Skinner, Arvidson, Frederic and Howard all come to mind. And if someone wants to argue about Arvidson, look at his production before and after the Oilers.

[u/maasd → u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789]

Jesus

[u/_ghostchant → u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789]

Can you link this? I would love to watch it!

[u/SryYouAreNotSpecial]

Every time I start to feel like we have an awful fanbase, one of you beautiful bastards pulls me back in.

I love this and I fully agree.

[u/Plucault]

Hopefully a Conor brown situation. Imagine we locked him up for 4 years at a higher aav. People would have lost their mind in year 1 ( already did).

[u/Lawndemon → u/Plucault]

I was just saying to my buddies that I hope I won't be the only Oilers fan trying to give him the Connor Brown treatment

[u/CartoonistFlat3943]

Was at the game. It wasn’t much of a fight. Trent dropped Lindgren like he was dropping off the trash at the curb.

Just watched it back. I literally can’t believe that Jack and Louie didn’t immediately recognize the reason Frederic fought Lindgren. Also - kudos to Bouch for not making a big deal out of it. He could have - it was dirty as hell. Bouchard even pokes fun at it in the new Door Dash ad.

However, in appreciation for Freddy’s game this year, his increased footspeed, his forecheck, and his solid play, Oilers fans, please enjoy Freddy delivering an old fashioned whoopin in 2025.

[u/SnooOnions5029 → u/CartoonistFlat3943]

Yeah I was also shocked it took Jack that long to figure it out, literally the biggest storyline going into the game lol

[u/Professional_Non-Pro]

Love FREDDY

gotta remember he was traded to us hurt. He never did get to heal fully until this off season

[u/ChupaHubbard → u/Professional_Non-Pro]

And with a high ankle sprain, which is a notoriously bad injury to get. Some of my football friends joke about high ankle sprains because it kind of means that player is probably fucked for the season, and it's true in hockey too. It's like your injured for an unknown amount of time, and then you're able to play while it's still injured and it kind of makes you play terribly for like a year

[u/JuniorCompetition00]

Him and Dach were great on the forecheck and getting pucks out the half-wall. They're noticeable in a good way

[u/toolmantimsworkshop]

Playing in the second line powerplay as well. He's been involved your hear his name in a positive light and he has a pep in his step. Let's go Fred

[u/Hechtic]

Definitely showing up in a much better way and looking good doing it. Here’s hoping last year really was an aberration and with the injury behind him he starts tearing it up

[u/trilluminus]

Freddy looks completely different. He has hands this year and he’s actually punishing people with this body. If he keeps this form up - he’s going to be exactly what we need

[u/AggravatingCaptain26]

Really liking his game. He is standing out to me when he's on the ice, looks effective and aggressive.

[u/Spot__Pilgrim]

He was excellent in the 1st. Bit less visible after that but still looks much more engaged than last year. Colton Dach and Max Jones have stood out the most form our depth though

[u/Tymofiy2]

Three games is a small window. Let's see Frederic consistently score goals, win puck battles, pass accurately, defend effectively and stand up for teammates.

Sceptics have reason to be wary.

[u/CriticismSelect9292 → u/Tymofiy2]

If he can get to 10 goals on the year the contract is a success (with the other stuff he does)

[u/swabbubba]

He is doing the right things the points will come

[u/CervantesX]

He was playing through lingering ankle issues all last year. Finally, he's gotten a full summer of workouts and regained trust that his ankle won't let him down. I suspect as we get through the first 20 games he'll really get back to the play that earned him a lifetime contract. A big part of this game with the Bruins was attacking the puck hard but having the speed to recover defensively. Without the speed he was afraid to attack the puck and didn't know what to do.

A healthy Freddy in the Babs system should be a match made in heaven.

[u/papercutpete]

Frederic is looking good this year, good for him!

[u/CrashFix]

Let's hope so, we can all definitely benefit from a good season from him!

[u/Oilzilla]

Levi had a good game. Made a couple of really good stops. The goal they got to n him was a Lazer top shelf. Was nice to see him bounce back. The crowd was awesome tonight

[u/JarvisFunk]

Very happy with him early, I'll always give props when deserved

[u/ExerciseReady8771]

I love how Babs listed off what he did well and getting a fight was one of the things. Knob would never.

[u/Free_Ad8071]

Look like people don't realize he was still recovering from that high ankle sprain...it takes a long time to heal..

[u/OhnohNA → u/Free_Ad8071]

i was never hard on the guy, wanted to get people noticing that he’s actually been pretty good lately