As the Edmonton Oilers approach the halfway mark of their NHL schedule, a preseason goal set by head coach Kris Knoblauch remains frustratingly unfulfilled: establishing a definitive identity for the team's third forward line.
The Unrealized Blueprint
Back in training camp, Knoblauch expressed a clear desire to mold a specific type of third unit. He pointed to a long-standing model within their own division: the Winnipeg Jets' line anchored by captain Adam Lowry. That group has been synonymous with a hard-to-play-against style for years.
"We would like to kind of get a line that’s hard to play against, maybe more of a checking role and a little more physicality," Knoblauch said at the time. He identified offseason acquisition Trent Frederic as a potential centrepiece for such a line, envisioning him in a shutdown role at centre.
A Bottom-Six in Flux
Fast forward to late December 2025, and that vision is nowhere close to reality. With the exception of the promising Matt Savoie when he slots in, the Oilers' entire bottom-six forward group has been inconsistent. Knoblauch has shuffled personnel frequently, searching for combinations that work.
The results have been lacklustre. The group has not provided consistent size, physical edge, or offensive production. The absence of rookie Connor Clattenburg, who brought a noticeable abrasive element before suffering an eye injury, has been felt deeply.
By the Numbers: A Concerning Trend
The statistical picture paints a clear story of struggle for the players in the mix for third-line duty:
- Trent Frederic has managed just three points in 38 games this season.
- Defensively reliable veteran Adam Henrique has only three points (all assists) in his last 27 games through November and December.
- Andrew Mangiapane has one goal and four points in his past 25 contests.
Henrique and Mangiapane have often formed two-thirds of a third line, but the centre ice position has been a persistent hole. Frederic, who signed an eight-year contract and was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline for his size (221 pounds) and past physical play with the Boston Bruins, was given the first opportunity to seize the 3C job.
He expressed interest in playing centre during camp but has not claimed the role. One former NHL coach observed of Frederic's play: "He’s around the action but he’s not in it." Mangiapane has similarly failed to replicate the feisty, impactful game he showed with the Calgary Flames.
Searching for Solutions
The situation leaves Knoblauch and management with difficult choices as the March trade deadline looms. Adam Henrique, while still a diligent defensive player, will turn 36 in February and may be better suited to a fourth-line centre role at this stage of his career.
Internally, the Oilers could relocate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from the top line to fill the 3C void. The other, more likely option, is to seek an external solution. The team may need to pursue a trade for a legitimate, hard-to-play-against third-line centre who can finally bring the identity and consistency they have sought since September.
As they prepare to face the Jets and the exemplar Lowry line, the contrast in bottom-six structure and effectiveness will be on full display, highlighting one of Edmonton's most pressing roster issues.
