The players for the Boston Bruins were aware it was a likelihood, considering their circumstances and with the NHL trade deadline looming this Friday.
However, it didn’t make it any easier to accept the Bruins trading Trent Frederic on Tuesday.
The Bruins traded Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers in a three-team transaction that also included the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins received in exchange a 2025 second-round pick that was originally from the St. Louis Blues, the Oilers’ 2026 fourth-round pick, and defenseman Max Wanner.
The response from various Bruins players indicates that Frederic, drafted in the first round by Boston in 2016 and having spent parts of seven NHL seasons with the franchise, was a valued and admired team member.
“I texted him, and I’m confident he was being pressured and still in disbelief and similar situations.” It’s unfortunate that such things occur. “Part of the business, unfortunately,” Charlie Coyle stated to reporters after Boston’s 6-3 defeat against the Nashville Predators at TD Garden. “Yet it’s difficult to watch a guy like that go.” He has been a fantastic friend, teammate, and player. I could continue discussing Trent endlessly, but right now I wouldn’t do him justice.
Frederic became an essential part of Boston’s lineup and recorded a personal-best 40 points from 18 goals and 22 assists in the 2023-24 season. This season, his production has been significantly lower, as he has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 57 matches.
The Bruins would need to decide on Frederic anyway, as he is due to become an unrestricted free agent when the season concludes.
“Clearly upset,” David Pastrnak stated to the media. “Freddy is an incredible person and a fantastic player.” Resilient youth. Clearly going to be missed by the team. As I mentioned, a remarkable kid and it’s unfortunate that we are in this situation. The team is in a certain situation, and he is engaged in personal discussions. Very difficult. We need to proceed. Regrettably, this is part of the industry.
The Bruins didn’t perform effectively on the ice following the Frederic trade. Boston, battling for its playoff survival, was outperformed by a Nashville team that holds the third-fewest points in the league.
Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco felt that the trade didn’t affect the locker room, and Coyle concurred with him. However, Morgan Geekie had a different perspective.
“He’s an amazing individual, and it’s always difficult when that occurs.” “However, you understand it’s a business matter,” Geekie remarked to the press. “I believe many individuals overlook that we’re human too, and it’s hard to watch a close friend leave.” It certainly influenced us, I would say, to some extent, but we are all professionals with a responsibility, and we didn’t fulfill it this evening.
