Player Discussion Trent Frederic

[Over the volcano]

Regarding his playing ability, I think he is a more than adequate bottom 6 player, regardless of what he does with his fists or with just stirring things up in general.

I think there was always the hope/idea of Frederic as a physical force especially in playoff settings that would go along with some moderate point production. We’ve seen one half of that equation, but not the other. It’s reality at this point. The extra gear really just isn’t there.

This is what folks have been saying about him every year - and each year he improves his production and impact.

 

[Sheppy]

Frederic has shown pretty consistently that he does not want to be that guy. Believe him before it's too late.

This is where I'm at right now. He will show an edge every now and then, but not nearly as often as he did earlier in his career (he also wasn't nearly the player is now)

I think it just makes fans wish he would add it both together on a consistent basis.

 

[HumBucker]

Bottom 6 player close to being a 20-goal scorer, 40 point guy. Not a liability in his own end. Still room to improve. Keeper even if he isn’t the second coming of Shaun Thornton.

 

[Absurdity]

He's not fast enough to play wing on the Bruins' system. He is better suited at center. He would be a pretty good Coyle replacement if the Bruins decide to keep him.

 

[Yeti34]

I’ve been a big Freddy defender and overall like his game, but the first panthers goal in game 6 soured me on him. The one handed fly by was just inexcusable from anyone. Such a soft and stupid play.

 

[Over the volcano]

I’ve been a big Freddy defender and overall like his game, but the first panthers goal in game 6 soured me on him. The one handed fly by was just inexcusable from anyone. Such a soft and stupid play.

Seriously that's what soured you on him - that he cleared Tkachuk out and left the puck to Wortherspoon who turned it over?

 

[Yeti34]

Seriously that's what soured you on him - that he cleared Tkachuk out and left the puck to Wortherspoon who turned it over?

He didn’t clear out Tkachuk that looked like a fly by on a bouncing puck. Freddy reached in with one hand on his stick and gliding past the puck to give Tkahuck who was already out of the play a little push. I don’t think he was intentionally leaving the puck for Wotherspoon. It just looks to me like a lazy soft play.

Freddy ideally keeps his feet moving both hands on the stick and drives through the play . If the puck is stopped then stop with it and clear it out. You don’t leave the puck in the slot like that.

 

[False Start]

He didn’t clear out Tkachuk that looked like a fly by on a bouncing puck. Freddy reached in with one hand on his stick and gliding past the puck to give Tkahuck who was already out of the play a little push. I don’t think he was intentionally leaving the puck for Wotherspoon. It just looks to me like a lazy soft play.

Freddy ideally keeps his feet moving both hands on the stick and drives through the play . If the puck is stopped then stop with it and clear it out. You don’t leave the puck in the slot like that.

I also noticed that play in particular. I don't think it's 100% on Freddy since Wotherspoon and him both had a few whacks at it and it just slipped away from Freddy's stick.

Then Wotherspoon just gave it right to them on a just as lazy attempt to control the puck.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

This is what folks have been saying about him every year - and each year he improves his production and impact.

Again, the point production is there. And as you said, has improved every year.

It’s the “power forward” aspect of his game that I think people had high hopes for (including myself) which really hasn’t come to be. That certainly may have been the fault of giddy fans like myself that thought we were getting a Lucic-lite rather than him failing to achieve his potential in any way.

Just to reiterate. The skill and production makes him a very effective long term third line forward, second line if you really need him there. But he’s not a guy you want to have in the top 6 or a guy you can count on to produce when the game tightens up. Just my two cents.

 

[Over the volcano]

Again, the point production is there. And as you said, has improved every year.

It’s the “power forward” aspect of his game that I think people had high hopes for (including myself) which really hasn’t come to be. That certainly may have been the fault of giddy fans like myself that thought we were getting a Lucic-lite rather than him failing to achieve his potential in any way.

Just to reiterate. The skill and production makes him a very effective long term third line forward, second line if you really need him there. But he’s not a guy you want to have in the top 6 or a guy you can count on to produce when the game tightens up. Just my two cents.

I hear you, and do think most folks either expect too much (Tom Wilson + PP production) him or too little (he's just another bottom 6er)

This year he lead his club in hits, had 7 fighting majors and 40 pts at even strength. Maybe there are dozens of "power forwards" out there doing the same, but I don't think so.

To me his potential looks like Charlie Coyle if his gloves weren't sewn on.

 

[Over the volcano]

Such a disappointing start to the season. Thought this would be an opportunity for him to step up, take advantage of more opportunities, start impose himself on the game more. The whole team is scuffling, but his lack of confidence and assertiveness is tough to watch. Just has no confidence in his game. What's the old rhyme about the crusher who becomes a rusher...

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

He definitely started the season better then he is playing currently. Those two Florida games broke his confidence.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Seems like the kind of guy who will end up on the Panthers as a physical, intense and agitating guy.

 

[Sheppy]

He definitely started the season better then he is playing currently. Those two Florida games broke his confidence.

2 games against Florida this year, 1 point -5

The past two playoff series against Florida... 11 games played 2 assists -2

You want a guy like this to elevate his game against those types of teams and well... he doesn't. In fact, his game gets worse.

 

[Over the volcano]

Seems like the kind of guy who will end up on the Panthers as a physical, intense and agitating guy.

It does look 100% like a confidence thing. On a team with an attack first mentality and some wind in it sails he could be a menace.

 

[LouJersey]

Seems to be pressing in a contract season. It's pretty normal. I think it will start coming along for him.

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

2 games against Florida this year, 1 point -5

The past two playoff series against Florida... 11 games played 2 assists -2

You want a guy like this to elevate his game against those types of teams and well... he doesn't. In fact, his game gets worse.

I definitely agree, he even said to the media he doesn't wanna be Tkachuks friend because he wont fight him, this team has a high school mentality and I'm not sure where that happened exactly.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

For me this year I think the problem is he has an ill defined role. He's always been stuck between being a physical guy, a power forward, and trying to be a 20+ goal scorer guy. Mentally I think he wants to be the goal scorer, but I think he's at his best being the more physical guy. This year he's been moved around and his linemates keep changing and he doesn't know who he is or what he's supposed to be.

Decide. Stick him in that spot and roll with it. Be it 3C or 2 wing and give him linemates he can work with along with clear directions on how you want him to play and I think he will be fine.

 

[Sheppy]

The thing is with Frederic is if he's not scoring, he doesn't do anything productive really, this year especially. If you're not scoring, go lay some hits, draw a penalty, literally do anything to get yourself going. He just seems like he's sleepwalking most nights. At least years past when he'd be in a rut, he'd be mixing it up.

The way he looks right now he's basically Jordan Caron.