The defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers made their first big move ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

The club acquired forward Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday in a complicated three-team deal that also included the New Jersey Devils.

The six-foot-three, 221-pound pending unrestricted free agent has eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 57 games this season.

Edmonton also acquired depth winger Max Jones in the deal along with the rights to unsigned prospect Petr Hauser. New Jersey retained 50 per cent of Frederic's remaining salary that carries an average annual value of $2.3 million US. The Devils also landed unsigned forward Shane Lachance from the Oilers.

Boston acquired defence prospect Maximus Wanner from Edmonton for a second-round pick at the 2025 NHL draft and a 2026 fourth-rounder.

The NHL trade deadline is set for at Friday 3 p.m. ET.

Frederic ranked second among forwards in hits this season for the Bruins with 155 after leading the team in that category in 2023-24 with 204.

Getting the 27-year-old provides Edmonton some much-needed toughness with the aim of helping Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and company make another long playoff run this spring, a year after reaching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final and losing to Florida.

Originally drafted 29th overall by the Bruins in 2016, the St. Louis native has 55 goals and 54 assists for 109 points across 337 career games.

Frederic has added five points (three goals, two assists) in 22 playoff contests.