Andrew Raycroft reflects on Patrice Bergeron's career
While the Bruins did end up going to arbitration with goalie Jeremy Swayman, they managed to avoid it with forward Trent Frederic, agreeing to a new contract just in the nick of time.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Bruins and Frederic have agreed to a two-year extension worth $2.3 million per season.
(UPDATE: The Bruins have now officially announced the deal.)
Frederic's arbitration hearing was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The two sides were able to continue negotiating right up until it would have begun. Friedman had previously reported that the Bruins had filed a two-year offer worth $1.4 million per season ahead of arbitration, while Frederic's camp had come in with a one-year, $2.9 million proposal. The arbitrator hearing the case could have picked either side's offer or settled somewhere in the middle, which is the most common outcome.
Instead, the Bruins and Frederic ultimately found middle ground themselves and avoided a hearing that can sometimes get uncomfortable.
Frederic, 25, is coming off his best season, posting career highs in goals (17), assists (14) and points (31) while establishing himself as an effective third-line winger. His 17 goals were the second-most in the NHL among players who averaged under 12 minutes per game.
Frederic is projected to be a mainstay on the Bruins' third line once again this season, but now it could be at center rather than on the wing with Charlie Coyle expected to move up in the lineup following the retirement of Patrice Bergeron and expected retirement of David Krejci.
The $2.3 million for Frederic leaves the Bruins with $3.1 million in cap space for Jeremy Swayman, whose arbitration award is expected to be announced later Tuesday.
With the Bruins reportedly offering $2 million ahead of arbitration and Swayman's side coming in at $4.8 million, it is certainly possible that the arbitrator's ruling will come in a little above $3.1 million. That would leave Don Sweeney and the Bruins with some minor financial maneuvering still to do before opening night. Teams can be over the salary cap until then.
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