The Edmonton Oilers delivered a clear message in their commanding 6-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, January 6, 2026: the team's depth players are ready to step up, and the time for patience with underperformers may be over.
Immediate Impact from New Faces
With forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic watching from the press box as healthy scratches, their replacements wasted no time making their presence felt. Curtis Lazar and Kasperi Kapanen, who took their spots in the lineup, quickly found their way onto the scoresheet in the decisive win at Rogers Place.
The victory kept the Oilers atop the Pacific Division with 46 points. However, the performance of the new-look lines sparked a broader conversation about the team's roster construction and its ability to compete with the NHL's elite, such as the Central Division-leading Colorado Avalanche, who boast 67 points.
The Weight of Underperformance
The scratching of Mangiapane and Frederic represented a significant financial decision, with nearly $7.5 million in combined salary sitting upstairs. Their on-ice production has failed to justify the investment.
Andrew Mangiapane, signed as the club's top free-agent acquisition in the off-season to a two-year, $3.6 million annual deal, has managed just 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 40 games. His journey up and down the lineup has yielded little offensive consistency.
The situation is more pronounced for Trent Frederic. After signing a surprising eight-year contract worth $3.85 million per season, his output has been nearly non-existent. Through 41 games, Frederic has recorded only two goals and one assist. This translates to a staggering $1.28 million per point and a mere 0.07 points per game, a rate lower than all other Oilers forwards and most defensemen.
As a stark comparison, even goaltender Jakob Markstrom, who allowed nine goals on 24 shots that same night, has two assists this season—double Frederic's total.
A Turning Point for Management?
The convincing win with Lazar and Kapanen in the lineup serves as direct evidence for Oilers general manager Stan Bowman. It challenges the "sunk-cost fallacy"—the idea that further resources must be committed because of past investments—that has seemingly dictated the usage of Mangiapane and Frederic.
The team's position in the standings, while leading their division, is viewed as somewhat tenuous. Analysts note that 46 points would only be good for third place in the NHL's other three divisions, highlighting the need for the Oilers to optimize their roster to become true Stanley Cup contenders for a potential third straight playoff run.
The immediate success of the replacement players suggests that the solutions to the Oilers' secondary scoring and lineup balance may already be within the organization. The performance against the Predators could mark a pivotal moment, forcing the hockey operations staff to make difficult decisions to "trim the fat" and elevate the team to the next competitive level.
