Chris Drury is reshaping the New York Rangers roster to add more physicality and toughness, and he has likely considered pursuing Him before the March 7 NHL trade deadline.
The 26-year-old forward has been a key bottom-six contributor for the Boston Bruins, bringing a mix of grit (305 penalty minutes) and offensive production (109 points, including 40 last season) over 334 NHL games. As an unrestricted free agent this summer with a reasonable $2.3 million cap hit, Frederic presents an intriguing rental option.
With Adam Edstrom potentially sidelined for the rest of the season due to a lower-body injury, He could be a strong replacement in the Rangers’ lineup. A fourth line featuring Frederic, Sam Carrick, and Matt Rempe would be a nightmare for opponents down the stretch and in the playoffs.
However, Frederic isn’t limited to fourth-line duties. He has played in a middle-six role for Boston, though there isn’t a clear spot for him in that capacity on the Rangers. While he has experience at both center and wing, his struggles in the faceoff circle make him better suited for the wing.
“I think [Frederic] would be a perfect fit for the Rangers and their roster strategy. He’s big (6-foot-3, 221 pounds), physical, gritty, and skilled. I like him a lot for New York,” a former NHL executive told Forever Blueshirts.
The Rangers have already added toughness and skill with the acquisition of J.T. Miller from Vancouver. Defenseman Will Borgen, brought in from Seattle, has bolstered their blue-line physicality. Will Cuylle ranks fourth in the NHL with 196 hits, and Rempe provides an intimidating presence. Frederic, with 147 hits (20th in the NHL), would seamlessly complement this physical core. His expected goals-for percentage (xGF) of 50.56% is also solid, per Natural Stat Trick.
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Despite these strengths, Frederic’s production has dipped this season. Despite logging a career-high 14:00 average ice time per game, he has managed just eight goals and 15 points with 42 penalty minutes in 54 games, along with a career-worst minus-11 rating. Last season, he recorded 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games, and in 2022-23, he posted 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists) in 79 games.
“Trent Frederic has generated a lot of interest for much of the season,” The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta reported. “And [Bruins forward Justin] Brazeau has as well. The Bruins had contract talks with both in December, but things have been relatively quiet since. They’ll assess their situation before deciding whether to move either player.”
Given the high level of interest, Frederic’s trade cost could be steep, potentially making the Rangers hesitant to pursue him. However, there’s another key reason why a Frederic-to-New York deal may not come to fruition before the deadline.
Reasons why Rangers likely won’t acquire Trent Frederic before trade deadline
Many around the league believe the biggest hurdle for the Rangers in acquiring Trent Frederic is the Bruins’ reluctance to trade with them. Like New York, Boston is locked in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, and both teams are currently just outside the postseason picture. The Rangers, after their 3-2 comeback victory over the Bruins on Wednesday, sit four points behind Boston with three games in hand.
This situation makes a potential Frederic trade complicated for the Bruins. Moving him for future assets won’t help their immediate playoff push, and dealing him to a direct competitor would be far from ideal.
While not addressing Frederic specifically, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged the tough position Boston faces at the trade deadline, balancing between buying and selling.
“This season has been different for us. We didn’t start as fast as we wanted, and now we’re in the thick of things,” Sweeney said. “It’s challenging to consider both options.”
“If injuries pile up or we struggle leading up to the deadline, we might have to take a different approach,” he added.
There have been no recent updates on a possible contract extension for Frederic, keeping the possibility of a trade open. While the Rangers are a logical landing spot, they may hold off and pursue him in free agency instead.
“Why wouldn’t the Rangers look into him over the summer?” a former executive speculated.
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