By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminskyy
Over the past decade, Boston Bruins fans have been blessed with so many talented players to watch that it’s sometimes hard to follow a diamond in the rough—a player who slowly develops into a critical contributor to the team. That player has been Trent Frederic. It is hard to believe that he will play in his seventh year with the organization this coming season.
The now 26-year-old was drafted 29th overall by the Bruins in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Before committing to the University of Wisconsin, he played out the rest of his high school career for the United States National Team Development Program. In his final season with the NTDP, he tallied 20 goals and 20 assists in 61 games. He immediately impacted the Wisconsin Badgers as, in his freshman season, he had 33 points in just 30 games. The following year was no different, as he accounted for 32 points in 36 games in a down season for the Badgers.
That year, Frederic suited up for the United States in the World Junior Championship in Buffalo, New York. Trent had five goals in seven games on a stacked US team, outshining players like Brady Tkachuk, Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, and Josh Norris. All of those guys have had impressive careers in the National Hockey League. Frederic scored four outstanding goals in the Bronze Medal Game against Czechia. He earned Player of the Game honors en route to a 9-0 win for the US.
Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney had seen enough as he signed Frederic just a few months later. He finished that season with the Providence Bruins with eight points in 13 games. It took Trent a few more seasons in Providence to gain the trust of the Boston Bruins coaching staff. However, slowly but surely, his points increased, and he looked like he was going to be a steal in a draft where 66% of the first-rounders taken turned out to be busts, including four of the first five picks.
The St. Louis native had a tough first season in Boston, only potting five points in 42 games. During this challenging time in Frederic’s career, he found a different way to keep himself in the lineup. He refreshed Bruins fans with his hard-nosed hockey. He fought and finished checks, but better yet, he earned the respect of the organization and the fans. The following season was different, as Frederic kept up that physical style of play with 18 points in 60 games. Not mind-boggling, but he was starting to set his feet in.
During the 2022-23 season, Frederic almost doubled his points, netting 31 points in 79 games. The more he was getting played, the more he was producing. In just two seasons, Trent went from a fourth-line scrapper who would get ice time to inject some energy into the building to a legitimate contributor on whom the Bruins could rely. This past season was his best yet as he finally hit that 40-point mark and played an entire 82-game season for the first time in his career.
A common theme in Frederic’s professional development is it comes slowly and consistently. From his first NHL season to now, you’ll see a player who still plays hard but has the confidence to get to the net and take shots from any angle. If he keeps trending in this direction, he will play a pivotal role in any team’s top six. Unfortunately, the Bruins have consistently had all-star caliber players that have overshadowed the immense improvement in Trent Frederic’s game. I speak for all Bruins fans when I say I will be on the edge of my seat to see Trent Frederic enhance his skillset again this season.
I feel like I’m the only fan that isn’t sold on Trent Frederic. If people thought JDB was inconsistent…then I present to you JDB 2.0.
Everyone talks about his physical play, however, does anyone really remember a game changing physical play? Does anyone remember where one of his fights turned the momentum of the game?
I’m not arguing that TF isn’t a good player, however, what separates him from Geekie, Jones, or Kastelic? His physical play isn’t impactful as most of his hits do not result in turnovers or advantages for his linemates. He isn’t going to be a top 6 forward and will probably command $4mil+ moving forward.
He is something I’ve thought for a while would be a solid trade chip as there is nothing he brings to this team that is necessary…he’s just a guy that will soon be overpaid.