The Boston Bruins have been through an express rebuild over the last couple of seasons. Last year’s awful season allowed GM Don Sweeney to overhaul the coaching staff and replenish the team’s prospect pipeline by jettisoning several veteran players.
But there was one trade that emerged out of necessity more than desire. That was the three-way trade that sent Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers.
On the Bruins’ side of the equation, the deal has worked out fantastically well. The club got rid of a player with an iffy outlook, while pocketing an AHL depth piece and two draft picks.
That’s not a bad haul for a player who didn’t have a future in Boston. Frederic and the Bruins found themselves in a stalemate as they couldn’t agree on a contract extension. That situation motivated the Bruins to pull the trigger and send the 27-year-old out west via New Jersey.
Frederic had missed a good chunk of the season due to injury. But the Oilers were aware of that situation. Frederic’s injury did not preclude the deal from happening. The deal went ahead and the Bruins made the most of the situation.
Fast-forward half a season, and it seems this Bruins trade looks even better in hindsight. While Frederic has been healthy this season, his production has completely tanked. He has two goals and three points in 42 games. He’s now a fourth-liner playing about 11 minutes a night.
That’s not something the Bruins wanted to pay $3.85 million per season for the next eight years. When looking at the numbers, it’s clear why the Bruins and Frederic couldn’t reach an agreement. Frederic thought highly of himself while the club saw the writing on the wall.
Bruins Could Make Out like Bandits in Frederic Trade
Dodging the bullet was reward enough in this trade for the Bruins. But the prospect of landing two draft picks could help Boston make out like bandits. With the second-round pick the Bruins landed, they took a center from the US National Development Team, William Moore. As a second-round pick, Moore has a chance to be a potential middle-six option for the club at some point. While there are no guarantees, it’s not unreasonable to imagine a 51st overall pick land a full-time NHL role.
As for the fourth-round pick, that will come in the 2026 NHL Draft. It’s a bit of wishful thinking to believe that pick could have a major impact on the Bruins. But then again, stranger things have happened in the NHL. There’s always the chance that pick could come back to bite the Oilers at some point down the line.
Frederic Could Still Turn Things Around
It’s far too soon to write Trent Frederic off. There’s always the chance he could turn out to be a solid bottom-six NHL forward down the line. The rising salary cap will water down his cap hit, making it more palatable.
Still, it’s hard for the Bruins not to breathe a sigh of relief. They were right in passing on Frederic as a long-term fit with the team. Frederic could even become a great player down the line. But the odds aren’t really in his favor.
That said, the Bruins’ rebuild looks to be going in the right direction. The draft picks acquired could add to a prospect pipeline that was bone dry. At least now, Boston has something to pin its hopes on.
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