The Boston Bruins got here into the season with a sizeable quantity of optimism. They made a giant 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 a number of 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 Jap Convention. If the season ended right now, the Bruins can be within the playoffs, however solely by one level. One vivid facet, nonetheless, is that the distinction between Boston and the Jap Convention-leading Florida Panthers is barely six factors – a differential that would simply be picked up in three video games with three wins from the previous and three losses by the latter.
With a dropping file of 6-7-1, nonetheless, Boston is searching for methods to enhance their workforce. A kind of methods, in accordance with 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 workforce, the Bruins might search to make some adjustments with a purpose to keep aggressive within the Atlantic Division, to not point out the convention as a complete. On Monday, the Bruins signed Tyler Johnson to a one-year contract, and whereas it’s attainable he can kickstart some form of offensive rhythm, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons of buying and selling Frederic if these stories from Weekes are to be believed.
Professional: It Alleviates Some Lifeless Weight
This season, at the least compared to the 2023-24 season, Frederick appears to have fallen flat. In 2023-24, he performed in all 82 video games, scored 18 objectives, and racked up 22 assists (all career-highs). This season, he has performed in all 14 video games, scored one aim, and has solely two assists.
To be honest, Boston hasn’t scored a lot this season as a workforce, however what additionally makes this a sensible transfer is the very 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 might allocate to a defenseman or somebody who can rating extra constantly.
Frankly, Frederic resides as much as his perceived popularity of a backside of the lineup middle/winger to this point, 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 at the least 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 talent, to make the gritty, scrappy performs. As talked about earlier than, he will not be probably the most disciplined participant on the earth, however he’s prepared to struggle some gamers’ battles they in any other case wouldn’t, and he’s greater than prepared to enter the boards to struggle for a unfastened 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 resembling Zadorov on protection, Frederic is the one constant powerful man the Bruins have had since he made his debut in 2018-19.
In the event that they had been to commerce Frederic, Zadorov can act as large physique, and never essentially an enforcer, however somebody who’s at the least prepared to drop the gloves. Nevertheless, if Zadorov had 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 convey the toughness Frederic would.
Watch Frederic Intently within the Coming Weeks
Whereas we’re nowhere near the 2025 Commerce Deadline, it is going to be essential to watch how Frederic performs and to notice whether it is price discovering a commerce companion for the 26-year-old. If he continues to be a non-factor, or worse, a detriment, likelihood is Boston will start exploring choices.
Frederic might be a valued asset on one other workforce that’s searching for extra toughness and grit and a commerce might pay dividends for Boston, who will likely be searching for goal-scoring, and conceivably, protection (if not each.)
The Bruins are again in motion on Thursday, Nov. 7 after they tackle the Calgary Flames at house. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
