The fate of 25-year-old forward Trent Frederic with the Boston Bruins hangs in the balance as the 2023-24 season approaches. Being an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent, Frederic anxiously awaits the Bruins' qualifying offer, which must be presented before June 30. Following an impressive season that saw him set career highs in goals (17), assists (14), and points (31) over 79 games, Frederic's salary is expected to rise from his previous $1.05 million cap hit.
In a recent interaction with the media, Frederic divulged that his agent, Allain Roy, has already initiated discussions with Bruins' general manager, Don Sweeney, regarding a potential new contract. Expressing his ardent desire to prolong his tenure with the Bruins, the young forward stated,
With the anticipated entry of veteran center Tomas Nosek into the unrestricted free agent market on July 1, Frederic is not only expected to secure a new contract but also assume the role of the team's fourth-line center. When asked about the possibility of playing his natural position on a full-time basis in the upcoming season, Frederic expressed enthusiasm, stating, "That would be awesome. That's been my position my whole life until I got here."
If the Bruins' captain Patrice Bergeron and veteran center David Krejci choose not to return, Frederic could seize the opportunity to solidify the 3C position as Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha ascend the center depth chart. While the Bruins are actively exploring the NHL trade market for center reinforcements, their limited salary cap situation makes it unlikely for them to acquire one through unrestricted free agency. Consequently, much responsibility will fall on Frederic's shoulders to elevate his game and fulfill a crucial role in the heart of the team
