Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic has emerged as a key part of the Original Six club’s roster over the last few seasons. He truly broke out for the Bruins during their historic 2022-23 regular season when he posted 17 goals and 31 points in 79 games.
Yet, Frederic took his game to an even better level in 2023-24, as he set new career highs with 18 goals, 22 assists, and 40 points in 82 games. Besides being a bigger offensive threat, he was also far more physical, as he set a new career-high with 204 hits. The most hits the gritty forward had in a season previously was 119 in 2021-22.
While Frederic took his game to new heights in 2023-24, it is fair to argue that he may not have hit his ceiling yet. He keeps getting better in each season he plays, and it would not be particularly shocking if this trend carried over to 2024-25 for the St. Louis native.
Frederic, 26, is gearing up a contract year this upcoming season. When noting that he has yet to get an extension from the Bruins, he should be entering the year with extra motivation. Keep in mind, it is very common for players in contract years to have strong campaigns.
There is also the possibility that Frederic could compete for a bigger role on the Bruins’ roster for next season. The Bruins notably lost a decent amount of their depth on the wing this offseason, with Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen most notably moving on. Perhaps this could open the door to some top-six opportunities and power-play time for Frederic.
No matter the case, there is no question that Frederic has 20-goal and 45-point potential if he stays healthy and consistent. Let’s see if he can put together another career year from here.