Player Discussion Trent Frederic III

[JAD]

Granted Frederic hasn't played to his potential very often this year, but that could be said about a number of players on the team. However, over the last half dozen games or so Frederic has been trending upwards in his play. He definitely plays better when he has a chip on his shoulder and is engaged physically. He also, seems to be more comfortable playing in the center position as it forces him to keep moving and control the play more.

For Frederic when the games have meaning and the adrenaline is flowing and he feels he has something to prove, productive in game results will improve. Now 'IF' Frederic continues to play, the remainder of the season and hopefully playoffs, as he recently has, he will earn himself a new contract with the team. Hopefully a level of maturation will take place throughout his game making him more consistent and therefore more effective game in game out. I'm hoping; ... but as the season plays out, it will determine what becomes of Frederic, and many others on the team as well.

 

[PB37]

Not only is he looking more comfortable out there, he's looking more comfortable bringing his physical game too. The team is better with Freddy playing this way.

 

[Over the volcano]

Think the biggest difference in his play of late has been what's been around him.

Paired with any kind of offense and he can produce (assisting on Pasta's goal against FLA and converting on Poitras feed last night). There's no way he can get blood out of a stone like Coyle this this year for whatever reason or Wahlstrom.

When up against an opponent who's willing (like Perry and Liliberg) he can bring the fighting game, but he's not going to run around and put em short handed chasing guys down.

I don't think anyone can judge "effort" from a distance, but it's an idea that feels good to folks who never played at that level and think if they just tried harder things would work out. IMO confidence is a much bigger factor than "effort".

 

[Blowfish]

Think the biggest difference in his play of late has been what's been around him.

Paired with any kind of offense and he can produce (assisting on Pasta's goal against FLA and converting on Poitras feed last night). There's no way he can get blood out of a stone like Coyle this this year for whatever reason or Wahlstrom.

When up against an opponent who's willing (like Perry and Liliberg) he can bring the fighting game, but he's not going to run around and put em short handed chasing guys down.

I don't think anyone can judge "effort" from a distance, but it's an idea that feels good to folks who never played at that level and think if they just tried harder things would work out. IMO confidence is a much bigger factor than "effort".

Interesting comment about Coyle. Totally disagree. The guy that has more goals and is a much more dangerous scoring threat than Fred will ever be.

The line worked great together. Hopefully that leads to more points for all 3.

 

[Dr Hook]

I don't think anyone can judge "effort" from a distance, but it's an idea that feels good to folks who never played at that level and think if they just tried harder things would work out. IMO confidence is a much bigger factor than "effort".

You had me for a minute, but come on, trotting out the old "you didn't play the game at that level so you can't know" is kind of intellectually lazy. It doesn't take having played in the NHL or even minor pro or college to be able to spot differences between guys with high motors and guys without. I agree that it's not always an easy call, but Trent has had many games where you can visibly see the lack of effort that is put into a board battle, or a backcheck when you compare it to a player like Brad, Kastelic, Koepke, even Charlie Coyle. None of them bring it 100% every shift every game, that is an impossible ask, especially for guys that play more than 8 minutes a night, but Trent has a number of floater games this season and I can't buy that he was really giving his all and it just looked like he wasn't.

 

[Ladyfan]

IMO confidence is a much bigger factor than "effort".

BINGO.

They play MUCH better (the whole team) when they are feeling good about themselves. They all want to win, and they do care (are very competitive guys). Posters who say that the Bs don't care are wrong.

We saw a few too many games of late, when they came out with slumping shoulders and no swagger.

There was plenty of swagger last night.

 

[Sheppy]

Think the biggest difference in his play of late has been what's been around him.

Paired with any kind of offense and he can produce (assisting on Pasta's goal against FLA and converting on Poitras feed last night). There's no way he can get blood out of a stone like Coyle this this year for whatever reason or Wahlstrom.

When up against an opponent who's willing (like Perry and Liliberg) he can bring the fighting game, but he's not going to run around and put em short handed chasing guys down.

I don't think anyone can judge "effort" from a distance, but it's an idea that feels good to folks who never played at that level and think if they just tried harder things would work out. IMO confidence is a much bigger factor than "effort".

I know you're a big TF fan and that's all good.

You can't honestly say that the player we've been seeing over the past few weeks is the same guy we've seen for 75% of the season.

 

[Five Hole]

His uptick in performance and effectiveness appears to correlate directly with his coach’s public assessment of him.

Sacco said he needs to be moving his feet and physical to be effective and since then that is exactly what we have seen.

Good on the coach for calling attention to it without upsetting the player.
Good on the player for responding to the criticism without sulking.

Win (for the coach) – Win (for the player) - Win (for the fan base)

 

[Over the volcano]

I know you're a big TF fan and that's all good.

You can't honestly say that the player we've been seeing over the past few weeks is the same guy we've seen for 75% of the season.

Honestly I think his game the last few weeks is pretty close to what he's been most of the year- he's just getting "yes"when he's challenging guys and he's been playing with some more offensively inclined line mates. It's spilling over into a more confident game and folks think he's turned into something new. Pre Sacco though was a whole other world.

 

[Sheppy]

Honestly I think his game the last few weeks is pretty close to what he's been most of the year- he's just getting "yes"when he's challenging guys and he's been playing with some more offensively inclined line mates. It's spilling over into a more confident game and folks think he's turned into something new. Pre Sacco though was a whole other world.

I absolutely disagree with this, but that's alright.

 

[Over the volcano]

You had me for a minute, but come on, trotting out the old "you didn't play the game at that level so you can't know" is kind of intellectually lazy. It doesn't take having played in the NHL or even minor pro or college to be able to spot differences between guys with high motors and guys without. I agree that it's not always an easy call, but Trent has had many games where you can visibly see the lack of effort that is put into a board battle, or a backcheck when you compare it to a player like Brad, Kastelic, Koepke, even Charlie Coyle. None of them bring it 100% every shift every game, that is an impossible ask, especially for guys that play more than 8 minutes a night, but Trent has a number of floater games this season and I can't buy that he was really giving his all and it just looked like he wasn't.

No offense with the "didn't play at this level". What I meant is that effort is there for anyone to make it this far, particularly guys like Frederic who aren't as naturally skilled as some of the phenoms in the league.

High motor, low motor doesn't mean anything to me other than maybe telling who is trying to catch up vs who being settled and confident in their game. Can't say guys Krejci didn't have effort because they looked "low motor" out there - or that guys like Kuhlman were better because it really looked like they were hustling.

I absolutely disagree with this, but that's alright.

That's fair - you probably have company.

 

[Hookslide]

Honestly I think his game the last few weeks is pretty close to what he's been most of the year- he's just getting "yes"when he's challenging guys and he's been playing with some more offensively inclined line mates. It's spilling over into a more confident game and folks think he's turned into something new. Pre Sacco though was a whole other world.

With Freddy's recent play and the chatter about him increasing, what path do the Bruins take now....Trade him, sign him or do the DeBrusk, and keep as a rental?

 

[Sheppy]

With Freddy's recent play and the chatter about him increasing, what path do the Bruins take now....Trade him, sign him or do the DeBrusk, and keep as a rental?

I'd sign him for 3x3.5.

I think he gets $4M+ on the open market, though.

 

[Dr Hook]

No offense with the "didn't play at this level". What I meant is that effort is there for anyone to make it this far, particularly guys like Frederic who aren't as naturally skilled as some of the phenoms in the league.

High motor, low motor doesn't mean anything to me other than maybe telling who is trying to catch up vs who being settled and confident in their game. Can't say guys Krejci didn't have effort because they looked "low motor" out there - or that guys like Kuhlman were better because it really looked like they were hustling.


That's fair - you probably have company.

Fair, and I wasn't trying to make you feel small or stupid, and you're right, none of these guys could even sniff the NHL without a highly competitive nature. I almost mentioned Krejci because he took a lot of shit here for being 'lazy' and I disagreed 100% on that. I am not really talking about effort in the sense of 'don't care' because they all do, but I go back to the criticisms of Frederic not just here but from Jaffe/Razor, Brick, et al. who pointed out how much better Trent plays when he moves his feet. One of the big differences over the past several games has been him doing just that, and its worked wonders for his overall performance. That comes down to floating vs working, even if we define those differently for the NHL vs a construction site. I don't think he was floating or not movnig his feet because he's lazy or doesn't care, but whatever the reason, his effort level (i.e. moving his feet, getting in on the forecheck, hustling on the back check sort of thing) has improved and it's visibly noticeable.

 

[Dr Hook]

With Freddy's recent play and the chatter about him increasing, what path do the Bruins take now....Trade him, sign him or do the DeBrusk, and keep as a rental?

We have a few weeks to go yet (Mar. 7) so time to see if this renaissance lasts and also where the Bruins are in the standings. If they are out of the playoffs and need to take a serious look at a retool (I think they should regardless) then trade him and get some value,especially if he's playing well. If they are hanging in there and he is still playing well, keep him because the Trent we are seeing right now is the guy you want to roll into the playoffs with. Then try to work out a contract or not in the summer. If he tanks again, then trade him.

 

[Over the volcano]

Interesting comment about Coyle. Totally disagree. The guy that has more goals and is a much more dangerous scoring threat than Fred will ever be.

The line worked great together. Hopefully that leads to more points for all 3.

I know you're a big fan of his - IMO he's been a ghost of himself this year. Sounds like maybe he's been injured which might explain it. But having one more goal than Frederic at even strength and fewer points overall isn't all that impressive considering he's was moved up to play with Marchand and Lindholm and getting big minutes all year. Meanwhile Frederic has been playing a 3rd line role with guys like Kastelic, Wahlstrom, Brazeau, and Johnson.

 

[Babajingo]

If he keeps playing like he has in the past few games, his trade value is going up. That's good.

 

[Blowfish]

I know you're a big fan of his - IMO he's been a ghost of himself this year. Sounds like maybe he's been injured which might explain it. But having one more goal at even strength and fewer points overall isn't all that convincing considering he's was moved up to play with Marchand and Lindholm and getting big minutes all year. Meanwhile Frederic has been playing a 3rd line role with guys like Kastelic, Wahlstrom, Brazeau, and Johnson.

I go by the eye test. Last night he was a major factor in winning the game. Coyle does that more often than not. Hence he’s a standout in my eyes. He’s on pace to scoring 20 or so. Not too shabby.

 

[TCB]

Think the biggest difference in his play of late has been what's been around him.

. IMO confidence is a much bigger factor than "effort".

Confidence is everything and even a pro can lose it at times, but effort should never be lost

 

[Over the volcano]

I go by the eye test. Last night he was a major factor in winning the game. Coyle does that more often than not. Hence he’s a standout in my eyes. He’s on pace to scoring 20 or so. Not too shabby.

Yeah I have no time for the "eye test" either - tells us more about our individual biases than it does about the thing we're looking at.

You don't want to know what my "eye test" says about Coyle and honestly what it says isn't fair to him either, so why bother.

 

[Blowfish]

Yeah I have no time for the "eye test" either - tells us more about our biases than it does about the thing we're looking at.

Eye test is obvious
For Fred. until recently he’s been horrible. I don’t doubt anyone would argue against that. And yes using the eye test.

 

[Over the volcano]

Confidence is everything and even a pro can lose it at times, but effort should never be lost

I thought it was pretty funny the other night when the commenters were saying the team "needed to play with more confidence" in a game they were down like 4-0.

 

[Dr Hook]

Eye test is obvious
For Fred. until recently he’s been horrible. I don’t doubt anyone would argue against that. And yes using the eye test.

The eye test sucks- McKinnon is not one of the fastest guys in the league, for example, because your eye test doesn't work. David Pastrnak is one of the fiercest hitters and bet defenders on the Bruins and your eye test sucks if it tells you otherwise.

 

[Blowfish]

The eye test sucks- McKinnon is not one of the fastest guys in the league, for example, because your eye test doesn't work. David Pastrnak is one of the fiercest hitters and bet defenders on the Bruins and your eye test sucks if it tells you otherwise.

Yikes.

Okay ignore the eye test and go by Fred s stats first half of season.

 

[DKH]

Frederic thoughts from last night

1. At about half way thru first period Frederic skated up to Lilleberg who was set at left defense spot and was I’m sure telling him he’s or they are coming for him. Frederic wasn’t looking to go there but they chirped as TF skated to LW spot about 15 feet away. There were a couple of look backs and Frederic was in F U a-hole mode.

2. Frederic shoulder seemed to pop I believe in third early on at top of goal crease as Tampa was swarming. He was about 15 feet from us and all of a sudden he winced and grabbed his upper arm usually indicating shoulder issue. He headed for bench in pain and headed for room but returned in 5 minutes

3. I read all the virgins on Twitter downplaying his fight connect ratio but they showed his knuckles when in the box from the center ice video board and they were seriously bloodied. He connected with something and curious if he broke anything

I’d be skeptical if he is fighting any time soon - looks like may need some healing

4. The refs and linesmen seem to like him. I notice a few times they said stuff to him and the vibe on both seemed good

5. He is not a heavy weight like a Joey Kocur or Shawn Thornton even. He’s a hockey player who will fight. He’s easy to go after but he’s a legit top 9 and he’s young and homegrown

If he goes I doubt he’s able to be replaced other then internally by a guy like Beecher

Frederic looks like a Norman Rockwell character