Frederick’s Fading Fortune: Bruins Forward Sees Trade Value Plummet

According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic‘s trade value is dropping around the NHL. A player once in heavy demand and someone insiders believed would garner a lot of attention at the trade deadline if the Bruins were open to moving him, it’s no longer clear they even can.

Shinzawa wrote in their latest piece:

“But Frederic, No. 5 on the trade board, is sliding in the wrong direction when it comes to his offensive production. In that department, the No. 29 pick from 2016 has vanished. Frederic has been parked on five goals and six assists since Dec. 7. Frederic has no points in the past nine games. It is his longest scoreless streak since a nine-game skid in 2021. The UFA-to-be is selling himself short on two fronts: an extension with the Bruins and his value in a trade.”

Shinzawa pointed out that Frederic’s lack of point production and physicality lately is really hurting his value. Frederic has recorded no points in the past nine games. On top of that, in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mathieu Olivier had two fights and made his presence known. This begs the question: where was Frederic?

As Shinzawa titled his article, “Bruins’ Trent Frederic has gone missing, and it’s sinking his trade value,” the statement rings true. If Frederic doesn’t take steps to change that and rebuild his value, the Bruins’ potential return for him in a trade could take a massive hit.

Interim head coach Joe Sacco addressed Frederic’s struggles, saying:

“Freddy’s biggest thing is he’s got to continue to start moving his feet and continue to move his feet when he’s playing. And he has to be physical. I think that’s a big component of his. When he’s playing hard in the defensive zone — if he’s battling below the goal line and has his assignments defensively, finishing his checks, being hard on pucks, those types of things — that’s when Freddy’s game elevates.”

Frederic Needs to Make Himself Valuable Again

The Bruins hope that mixing up Frederic’s linemates will help him find his game. Ultimately, it starts with him being physical and playing hard. The rest will follow. Without that edge to his game, Frederic won’t be a valuable asset to any NHL team.

That includes the Bruins, who if they wanted to retain him on an extension aren’t sure what value he’ll hold on a new deal.