Let's look at three paths the Bruins could go down with Trent Frederic.
Let's look at three paths the Bruins could go down with Trent Frederic.
Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic is a pending unrestricted free agent. Because of this, questions about his future with the Original Six club have naturally come up.
The Bruins have three potential paths they can take with Frederic. Let's discuss each of them now.
Path No. 1: Trade Frederic By The Deadline
Frederic has been frequently mentioned in the rumor mill this season, and it is understandable. Bruins president Cam Neely openly stated that the team could retool depending on how they perform before the deadline. Frederic is in his contract's final year, so he stands out as one of their top trade candidates.
Although Frederic is having a down season, there could still be some interest in him because of his gritty style of play and past scoring success. Thus, the idea of Frederic being dealt can't be ignored.
Path No. 2: Sign Frederic To Extension
The trade rumors surrounding Frederic would go away immediately if the Bruins sign him to an extension. While he has struggled this season, his tenacity and toughness still make him a solid piece of the roster. In addition, he showed last season that he can make an impact offensively, as he had 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games.
If Frederic heats up down the stretch, it could increase the Bruins' interest in signing him to a contract extension.
Path No. 3: Bruins Keep Frederic As Their Own Rental
If the Bruins find themselves in a better spot in the standings near the deadline, they could keep Frederic around for the remainder of the season, even if they do not plan to sign him to an extension. Frederic's hard-nosed style of play makes him a good player to have during the post-season when the games get tougher.
However, would the Bruins be comfortable with losing another notable player for nothing through free agency? We will need to wait and see what happens on that front.
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