The Boston Bruins got here into the season with a sizeable quantity of optimism. They made an enormous splash in free company on the primary day, signing Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov and letting go of some items they felt they couldn’t afford to maintain round anymore in Jake DeBrusk and others. The Bruins additionally made just a few trades in a while and signed franchise goaltender Jeremy Swayman to a long-term deal on the eleventh hour.
In the end, after one month and three video games, Boston sits in eighth place within the Japanese Convention. If the season ended immediately, the Bruins could be within the playoffs, however solely by one level. One vivid aspect, nonetheless, is that the distinction between Boston and the Japanese Convention-leading Florida Panthers is simply six factors – a differential that might simply be picked up in three video games with three wins from the previous and three losses by the latter.
With a shedding file of 6-7-1, nonetheless, Boston is searching for methods to enhance their staff. A kind of methods, in response to NHL Community’s Kevin Weekes, is that they’re fielding calls on ahead/middle Trent Frederic.
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Whereas getting trigger-happy on trades this early within the season doesn’t sound best for any staff, the Bruins could search to make some modifications with a view to keep aggressive within the Atlantic Division, to not point out the convention as an entire. On Monday, the Bruins signed Tyler Johnson to a one-year contract, and whereas it’s attainable he can kickstart some type of offensive rhythm, it’s necessary to weigh the professionals and cons of buying and selling Frederic if these experiences from Weekes are to be believed.
Professional: It Alleviates Some Lifeless Weight
This season, a minimum of compared to the 2023-24 season, Frederick appears to have fallen flat. In 2023-24, he performed in all 82 video games, scored 18 targets, and racked up 22 assists (all career-highs). This season, he has performed in all 14 video games, scored one purpose, and has solely two assists.
To be truthful, Boston hasn’t scored a lot this season as a staff, however what additionally makes this a sensible transfer is the actual fact he’s going to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season, he has a minus-eight ranking, and has 17 penalty minutes. So as to add to that, the Bruins are paying him $2.3 million yearly, cash they may allocate to a defenseman or somebody who can rating extra constantly.
Frankly, Frederic resides as much as his perceived status of a backside of the lineup middle/winger to date, and for followers that’s disappointing to see after he set career-highs within the final three seasons and was a mixed plus-47 in these three seasons. Maybe it’s time to maneuver on from the $2.3 million, or a minimum of a few of it.
Con: They Would Be Eradicating Toughness
One factor Frederic brings to the lineup each evening is toughness and the willingness and skill, to make the gritty, scrappy performs. As talked about earlier than, he will not be essentially the most disciplined participant on the planet, however he’s prepared to combat some gamers’ battles they in any other case wouldn’t, and he’s greater than prepared to enter the boards to combat for a free puck.
Frederic fills the void Milan Lucic left within the 2023-24 season throughout his suspension, and the void that was left for a while after Shawn Thornton left Boston. Now, whereas there are some gamers who might fill in there comparable to Zadorov on protection, Frederic is the one constant robust man the Bruins have had since he made his debut in 2018-19.
In the event that they have been to commerce Frederic, Zadorov can act as massive physique, and never essentially an enforcer, however somebody who’s a minimum of prepared to drop the gloves. Nevertheless, if Zadorov have been to go down with an damage or to shift to a extra defensive-focused or team-centered sport, there aren’t many different gamers on the roster who would carry the toughness Frederic would.
Watch Frederic Carefully within the Coming Weeks
Whereas we’re nowhere near the 2025 Commerce Deadline, will probably be necessary to observe how Frederic performs and to notice whether it is price discovering a commerce accomplice for the 26-year-old. If he continues to be a non-factor, or worse, a detriment, chances are high Boston will start exploring choices.
Frederic could possibly be a valued asset on one other staff that’s searching for extra toughness and grit and a commerce might pay dividends for Boston, who might be searching for goal-scoring, and conceivably, protection (if not each.)
The Bruins are again in motion on Thursday, Nov. 7 once they tackle the Calgary Flames at residence. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
