Trent Frederic is playing the best hockey of his career
Trent Frederic is playing the best hockey of his career
Since the Bruins returned from their holiday break, they have been a completely different team. The offense has come alive and been led by an unexpected source in Trent Frederic. In his sixth NHL season, the former first-round pick is playing the best hockey of his career.
Through 38 games, the St. Louis native has scored 12 goals and dished out nine assists. After recording a career-high 31 points last season, he is on pace to pass that mark. However, Frederic’s best play has come in his last five games.
Frederic has found the back of the net five times during that stretch. That includes the first power-play goal of his career. The 25-year-old ranks fourth on the Bruins in goals due to his recent surge. His success is not going unnoticed.
When asked about Frederic's play after the Bruins' latest win on Saturday, head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters, "I think his confidence has increased, his poise with the puck. And he's got tremendous hands. In practice, he scores more than anyone except for [David Pastrnak]. So I think it's coming. The kind of player he is, he's got to keep being really focused on his habits and details and moving his feet."
Although the season is far from over, it has been hard to ignore how well Frederic is playing. Since Nov. 25, the talented center has 13 points in 19 games. That's tied with Daniel Sprong and Robby Fabbri for most in the NHL among forwards averaging under 14 minutes per game during that span.
In a Bruins lineup that has been full of constant change, Frederic has excelled regardless of who is on his line. Over the last few weeks, he has shown that he has yet to reach his ceiling.
As the playoffs draw closer, the 2016 draftee has provided a reminder of how valuable he is.
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