Interest may be growing, but the Boston Bruins do not have any interest in trading a key forward.

The Boston Bruins have faced a mixed start to the 2024-25 NHL season. Sitting at a .500 record of 7-7-1 through their first 15 games, the team is stuck in a mediocre stretch, one that’s far from where they envision themselves as a perennial Stanley Cup contender. The issues for the Bruins are varied, but one of the key players whose performance has been under the microscope is forward Trent Frederic. Known for his physical style of play, Frederic has been a fixture of the Bruins’ bottom six for years, offering grit, toughness, and an ability to get under the skin of opponents. However, his performance this season has been lackluster, and his struggles have sparked rumors and speculation around his future in Boston.

Frederic, who is in the final year of his contract, has accumulated just three points (1 goal, 2 assists) through the first 15 games of the season and has posted a concerning minus-10 rating. His lack of production has raised eyebrows, especially in a season where the Bruins were hoping to build off a successful prior campaign. While Frederic’s role is often to contribute with physicality rather than put up gaudy point totals, his struggles on the ice haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s a player who thrives on energy, playing a hard-nosed style that can wear down opponents. But when the numbers don’t follow, questions about his future naturally arise.

It was this situation that led to a report from ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, who hinted that Frederic was beginning to attract trade interest from around the league. The reasoning behind this speculation stems from Frederic being in the final year of his contract, making him an attractive option for teams looking to add depth and toughness ahead of the playoff push. As a potential free agent, Frederic could be moved to a team in need of his specific skill set without a long-term financial commitment, making him a potential trade target for contending teams.

However, the speculation about Frederic’s trade future was swiftly addressed by reliable insiders, who quickly shut down the idea that the Bruins were actively shopping the forward. According to a source with Responsible Gambler, the Bruins have no intention of parting ways with Frederic, despite the growing interest from other teams. The source emphasized that while Frederic’s name has popped up in trade discussions, it is not because the Bruins are looking to move him.

“Weekes is absolutely correct that Frederic is drawing interest in the NHL trade market,” the source told Responsible Gambler. “However, according to a Bruins team source and an NHL executive source, the Bruins are not interested in moving the 26-year-old forward.”

This response effectively squashed rumors of Frederic being actively traded and made it clear that the Bruins have no plans to part with him, at least not at this stage of the season. The team’s stance was that Frederic is “not being shopped” by the front office and has not been a player the Bruins have sought to move on from. While it’s acknowledged that trade interest around Frederic is likely growing, the Bruins are standing firm and are not looking to deal the forward.

The perspective shared by the Bruins source aligns with the general philosophy that GM Don Sweeney takes in his role. Sweeney is known to listen to offers and explore all potential opportunities to improve the roster, but the team has been steadfast in its desire to keep Frederic for now. As the source continued, “Would I be surprised that, like ‘Weeksie’ said, teams are interested in Frederic? Not at all. But as far as I know, the Bruins have not been shopping him at all. Are they listening? Probably, yeah. That’s Donny’s [Sweeney] job as a GM, but that doesn’t mean they’re looking to move him.”

In a way, this is typical of how NHL teams manage potential trade talks. Even if a player is not actively being shopped, it’s not unusual for teams to gauge the market and listen to offers. The Bruins are not oblivious to the fact that Frederic could attract interest from other teams. Given his physical style of play and ability to provide value in a depth role, it’s only natural that contending teams looking for toughness or additional forward depth would inquire about his availability.

However, the crucial distinction here is that, according to sources, the Bruins are not pursuing a trade for Frederic themselves. This suggests that, for now, the team is committed to him and believes he can still contribute to their success this season. Despite his struggles, Frederic is considered an integral part of the team’s identity — the kind of player that embodies the “Bruins Way,” with a hard-hitting, blue-collar approach to the game that has been a hallmark of the franchise for decades.

Frederic’s value to the team goes beyond just his offensive statistics or his plus-minus rating. The 26-year-old forward has carved out a niche for himself with his gritty, in-your-face style. He is not a player who will ever be counted on for regular scoring, but he has consistently contributed in other ways. Frederic isn’t afraid to drop the gloves or throw a punishing hit to set the tone. His tenacity on the ice is the type of play that can ignite his teammates and change the momentum of a game.

In a locker room full of stars like Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak, Frederic plays a pivotal role as a physical presence that can balance out the high-skilled players around him. His ability to agitate opponents, draw penalties, and stir the pot when necessary makes him a valuable asset in the team’s forward group. These intangibles are often harder to quantify, but they contribute immensely to the team’s overall success. And when the Bruins have been at their best in recent years, it has often been because of players like Frederic who can add an extra layer of physicality and grit to the lineup.

As the season progresses, it’s still possible that Frederic could find himself a trade chip if his production doesn’t improve or if the Bruins’ roster needs to change. But for now, the team is fully committed to seeing what he can contribute over the remainder of his contract. The uncertainty surrounding his future is tied to his contract status; as he is in the final year of his deal, the Bruins will eventually need to decide whether to offer him an extension or let him walk at the end of the season. However, the fact that the team is not actively shopping him for trade shows they still believe in what he brings to the table — both on and off the ice.

With that said, Frederic’s future in Boston will ultimately depend on how he continues to perform over the next several months. He has not been producing at the same level as in previous seasons, but it’s possible that he could find a rhythm and become more consistent as the season moves along. The Bruins’ management, including head coach Jim Montgomery, will likely give him ample opportunities to work through his struggles, given his value to the team. However, the team’s patience may not be limitless, especially if Frederic’s struggles persist and the Bruins find themselves needing to make a move to shake things up.

However, the fact that the Bruins are not actively seeking to trade Frederic is a testament to his value within the organization. While his play this season hasn’t been up to par, there is no rush to move him, especially given his history with the team and the style of play that makes him a unique contributor. The Bruins have plenty of time to assess their options as the season unfolds, and Frederic’s role will remain a part of that evaluation. Whether he ends up staying in Boston long term or not, it appears that for now, Trent Frederic’s future with the Bruins is secure — at least until something changes.