It was only a matter of time until Trent Frederic figured it out in the NHL. Over the last couple of seasons, he showed glimpses of figuring it out before ending up in Bruce Cassidy’s dog house. With a new head coach this season in Jim Montgomery, it finally seems we are seeing the Trent Frederic we’ve all been waiting for.
The entire Bruins lineup as has been a pleasant surprise to start the season 2022-2023, and this mainly includes Frederic, who is on pace to have a career year.
The 24-year-old has provided solid scoring for a third-line winger, as through 32 games, he’s collected seven goals and seven assists and is on pace for 36 points. If he can reach that 36 mark, he would be doubling his career-high of 18 points set last year during the 2021-22 season.
There seems to be a change in Frederic’s game this season, as one thing has really stood out for the young winger. He’s been utilizing a new tool in his arsenal, and that is the one-timer, which has been showcased a few times this season and is proving to be effective.
Head coach Jim Montgomery touched on that:
‘Slowly but surely, from the first game of the season where he didn’t play, he’s gotten better and better…his confidence has grown…the other thing is, I didn’t know he had a one-timer, now we’re seeing it all the time.”
On top of the newfound one-timer, the St. Louis native has been using his usual physical play mixed in but in a more controlled fashion. Frederic has learned that he can be physical without having to drop the gloves and fight. He uses his body to disrupt plays and let the opposing players know he’s coming, as shown earlier in the season when the Bruins faced the Colorado Avalanche.
Frederic will look to continue his success in the second half of the season. If the Bruins can get 12-15 goals out of Frederic and continue to develop his offensive game, he will be the perfect third-line winger in Boston for years to come.
