What kind of NHL player is Trent Frederic going to be?
Stylistically, it's a fairly easy question to answer. He's big, he's physical, and he's an agitator who can get under opponents' skin and drop the gloves if need be.
But what we really mean here is, can Frederic bring enough offense to be more than an interchangeable fourth-line energy guy?
The Bruins, and Frederic, certainly hope so. Remember, this is a player who was a first-round pick back in 2016. It's easy to debate whether he should have been or lament the fact Boston could have had Alex DeBrincat (who finished third in the NHL in goals this season) instead, but that doesn't really do the Bruins a whole lot of good now.
What the team and Frederic have to focus on instead is his continued development and how the 23-year-old fits into the team's plans moving forward. He signed a new two-year contract (with a $1.05 million average annual value) last week and should get every opportunity to win at least a fourth-line job going into next season.
Frederic became something of a fan favorite early on this season by showing no fear regardless of the opponent -- whether that was trash-talking P.K. Subban, riling up Alex Ovechkin or fighting Tom Wilson. But he was unable to hold onto a regular roster spot down the stretch, due in large part to the fact that the offense just wasn't there. Frederic finished the season with four goals and one assist in 42 games and had zero points over his final 15 games.
There were some complicating factors, namely a lengthy non-COVID illness in April that ultimately kept him out of the lineup for three weeks. Frederic said Wednesday that he still doesn't know exactly what the illness was, but that he had a fever over 100 degrees for several days and that he didn't "think I came back quite as well as I should have."
While Frederic is probably never going to be a first-liner or anything, there is certainly reason to believe there's more offense than he showed this season. He was a point-per-game player in college at Wisconsin and he scored five goals in seven games at the 2018 World Junior Championships playing with and against some of the best players in his age group. All four of his goals this season came in a 12-game stretch from late February to mid-March that seemed to mark a turning of the corner, until he went into the late-season slump.
"I think this was just the beginning for my hockey career, and I think I have a lot more to offer," Frederic said Wednesday. "Obviously, I was disappointed that we didn't make it and that we're not playing right now. Obviously, I wanted to help out as well. But everything happens for a reason and sometimes it's out of your control, and you just have to keep working hard and work for the next day."
Frederic said he's working on his skating and being more confident with the puck on his stick this offseason. He said he didn't really get into specifics about where he fits in the lineup during his exit interviews or contract negotiations, but that he knows he has to earn a spot. Asked if he sees himself being a key piece of the team for years to come, Frederic said that's his goal while also acknowledging there's work to do.
"That's what I'm striving towards," Frederic said. "I've got a lot of work to become that. I think I have the ability to become it and I think I will, but obviously I have some work to do for that."
After the Bruins' third and fourth lines combined for just one goal in the team's second-round loss to the Islanders, there is sure to be some turnover in that group this offseason. Frederic and other young players will get a chance to battle for those jobs and show they can be part of the solution, but the Bruins can't afford to just hand anyone a spot, especially a player who's still as relatively unproven as Frederic.
Another part of the equation that will eventually need to be settled is whether Frederic is best suited as a wing or center in the NHL. He's a center by nature, but played almost exclusively at left wing this season. He's a smart, responsible defensive player, which is certainly something the Bruins demand of their centers. But playing on the wing could play to his physicality and free him up to wreak more havoc on the forecheck.
Regardless, Frederic is going to need his skating and skills work to pay off, as he'll have a tough time sticking at either position without bringing more offense to the table.
We know Frederic can hit and fight and draw opponents into retaliation penalties. Next season will go a long way towards finding out if he can do more and establish himself as a player the Bruins can consistently rely on.
