On Feb. 4, the Boston Bruins got their selling started. They traded pending unrestricted free agent Trent Frederic and depth winger Max Jones to the Edmonton Oilers to officially spark their retool. In return, the Bruins received the St. Louis Blues' 2025 second-round pick, Edmonton's 2026 fourth-round pick, and prospect Max Wanner.
Before the Bruins faced off against the Nashville Predators on Feb. 4, forward Mark Kastelic reacted to Frederic and Jones being sent off to Edmonton.
"It's a tough day for everybody," Kastelic said. "Trent was an amazing teammate, so was Max. I'll always remember him for having my back out here. Definitely sad to see him go. Hopefully, all the best, and he's gonna get a lot of opportunity there."
Following the game, Bruins forwards Morgan Geekie, David Pastrnak, and Charlie Coyle all shared their thoughts on Frederic being dealt.
"I've been here for a couple years, and I got to know Fred really well," Geekie said. "He's a great person, and it's always tough when that happens, but you see, it's a business kind of thing, and a lot of people forget we're human, too. It's tough to see one of your good friends go."
Geekie joined the Bruins ahead of the 2023-24 season, so he was not teammates with Frederic as long as Pastrnak and Coyle. However, based on Geekie's comments, it is clear that he valued his time as Frederic's teammate.
"Obviously, you know, sad. Freddy's an amazing human being and a heckuva player," Pastrnak said. "Tough kid. Obviously, going to be missed by the group. Like I said, amazing kid and unfortunate that the business we are at. There’s the situation the team’s in and he’s in personal negotiations. So tough. We have to move forward. Unfortunate, it’s this side of this business.”
Pastrnak was Frederic's teammate for all seven years that No. 11 played for the Bruins. Thus, there is no question that Pastrnak had plenty of time to get to know Frederic well, so it makes sense that this move stung for him.
"I sent him a text, and I'm sure he was getting hounded and still in shock and things like that," Coyle said. "It stinks that stuff happens. Part of the business, unfortunately, but it's hard to see a guy like that leave and he's been such a good friend, teammate, player. I go on and on about Trent, but it wouldn't do it justice at this moment."
Coyle and Frederic certainly spent plenty of time together as linemates over the years, as the pair were often linked up together on the third line. Thus, it is understandable that Coyle formed a good friendship over the years with the 2016 first-round pick.
It is always hard to see teammates get shipped off, and it was nice to see the Bruins say some kind words about their former teammates. However, with the Bruins performing below expectations this season and continuing to lose, Frederic and Jon.es likely won't be the last players Boston deals over the next two days.
In 57 games this season with the Bruins, Frederic had eight goals, seven assists, 155 hits, and a minus-14 rating. Jones, on the other hand, had zero points, eight penalty minutes, 14 hits, and a minus-4 rating in seven games with Boston. Down in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, Jones had 13 goals and 21 points in 38 contests.
Recent Bruins News
3 Boston Bruins Who Could Be Traded Next
Bruins Trade Trent Frederic & Big Winger To Oilers
Bruins Coach Provides Brutal Brad Marchand Injury Update
Bruins Send Defenseman Down To AHL
Bruins' Brandon Carlo Reportedly Linked To 2 Teams