Over the past few years, Trent Frederic has shuffled in and out of the Bruins lineup. Coming into this season, Frederic was looking to earn a permanent spot. Through Boston’s first five games, the St. Louis native has been a key piece for Boston and made it hard for Bruce Cassidy to take him out of the lineup. While the season is only a week old, Frederic is making the most of his latest opportunity.
Through five games this season, Frederic has one assist and has landed six shots on net. The St. Louis native has not been lighting up the stat sheet but he has been affecting games in other ways. On Saturday night, Frederic drew a pair of penalties, which the Bruins were able to turn into power play goals. Although the preseason was canceled, Frederic has carried his strong training camp into the regular season.
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Additionally, Frederic has shown that there is more to his game than just being an enforcer. The Bruins rookie has landed six hits and has yet to drop the gloves. Since his NHL debut, Frederic has been known as a player who wasn’t afraid to throw his weight around and has spent a good amount of time in the penalty box. So far in 2021, Frederic has limited his mistakes and been productive when on the ice.
As a result, Frederic is getting more playing time than during his previous NHL stints. This season, Frederic is averaging 11:58 of ice time a game. That is nearly five minutes higher than last season and shows the growing trust that Cassidy has in the young forward. It is also a welcoming sign for Boston as they are embracing a youth movement this season.
What To Expect From Frederic For the Rest of 2021
After years of trying to earn a permanent spot in Boston, Frederic has appeared to have found a home in the Bruins bottom six. The Bruins winger is also developing a talent at irritating opponents, which was on full display Saturday night. The former first-round pick has become a fan favorite, and his teammates are taking notice of his improved play.
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When speaking with the media following Saturday night’s victory, Brad Marchand said, “He’s been awesome. He’s not trying to do too much. He’s playing hard. He just seems to be making the right play all the time.”
While the 2021 season is far from over, it could be one that Trent Frederic never forgets.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
