The writing is on the wall. After Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney held his press conference on Sunday, he made it clear that defenseman Hampus Lindholm is unlikely to return this season and there is no timeline for Charlie McAvoy‘s return. The Bruins are down their top two defencemen and on the outside of the playoff picture, which means they will likely be sellers at the 2025 Trade Deadline. One player likely on the move is Trent Frederic, and the Bruins would be wise to entertain offers on him and gain valuable assets.
When talking about other free agents on the roster, Sweeney said it’s “unlikely that we move forward with things” on other pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs,) but that could change with one call. One of their pending free agents is Frederic, which is precisely why trading him makes the most sense based on the quotes above.
Trent Frederic Trade Talks Gaining Steam
Frederic is a fan favourite, but Elliotte Friedman noted on his 32 Thoughts Podcast there is noise surrounding him and that Bruins management is considering their options.
In 2023-24, the Bruins were having a strong season and decided not to sell any pending free agents at the deadline. However, the Bruins couldn’t come to an agreement with UFA forward Jake DeBrusk, and he signed a seven-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1. Management cannot let history repeat itself.
Frederic is in a contract year, and the Bruins and his camp have not made any progress on a new deal. If management knows that he is unlikely to stay in Boston, they should cut their losses and get any assets they can in return for him. Given they are headed towards retooling for the future, gaining any valuable assets helps accelerate that process. Frederic should be a target at the deadline for many reasons, and the Bruins should be able to find a suitable deal.
Frederic Is Perfect Depth Addition
Frederic would be a great depth addition to any playoff-bound team. He is a complementary piece, who can slot in on the second or third line, where he has played most of this season. A first-round draft pick seems high, but a second-round pick for Frederic’s services makes sense.
Related: 3 Things the Bruins Need to Improve on After the Break
It’s been a down-season for Frederic as he hasn’t produced as much as the last two seasons. In 56 games, he has eight goals and 15 points. Last season, he set a career-high with 18 goals and 40 points, a significant jump from 2022-23. However, he can be physical and isn’t afraid to get into the mix or to stand up for his teammates. Frederic has a lethal shot when he uses it. His shot on goal totals have gone down, but he was shooting at over 14% in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Frederic has the tools to be effective offensively, but his new team may have to unlock that part of his game. The nice part is Frederic can play both center and wing, so he provides versatility when constructing the lineup. Offense has been tough to come by this season for the Bruins and it’s truly hindered Frederic’s overall game.
Bruins’ “For Sale” Sign Up
Frederic could be the first domino to fall as he does provide good value and should fetch a good return. The Bruins should make the right call and move him so history doesn’t repeat itself. The whit flag has been waved and now it’s about shuffling the deck and get and early start to the 2025-26 season. Buckle up Bruins’ fans — it could be quite the deadline.
