The Perfect Craig Berube Player May Actually Be Available for the Maple Leafs
According to NHL Insider Kevin Weekes, plenty of teams are in hot pursuit of Trent Frederic and if he were to be made available, the Leafs should pick up the phone.
Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic is gaining a lot of interest and traction on the trade market early in the season and with an expiring contract, we could see a trade come to fruition sooner rather than later.
As Kevin Weekes points out, Frederic brings a combination of size, speed, toughness, character, and skill, which is something all 31 other teams around the league look for. The former first round pick has struggled to begin the 2024-25 season, but he is coming off the heels of a career-year in 2023-24 where he potted 18 goals and 40 points.
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't necessarily bolster their offense much this off-season with the exception of late signings in Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz after successful PTOs. There's a hole in the top-9 that can be filled by Frederic and he would be the perfect embodiment of what Craig Berube would be looking for.
Selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Frederic has suited up in 293 games across 7+ seasons with 48 goals and 97 points to his credit. He holds a plus-26 rating, has accrued 280 PIMs, and has delivered 556 hits to go along with 130 blocked shots in 12:12 ATOI. The physicality goes up a notch during the post-season where he has 46 PIMs in 22 games with 69 hits and 12 blocked shots.
The Maple Leafs are currently missing that edge and bite in their lineup, outside of the aging Ryan Reaves, and he would slide in perfectly in the top-9. Frederic also plays net-front on the second power play unit as the 6'3, 220 pound centre is not afraid to use his body to his advantage and get into the dirty areas - and we all know the Leafs' power play needs help right now. Frederic could be a good addition to the net front on PP2, as a near 20-goal scorer.
He carries a $2.3 million dollar AAV and the Bruins would be hard pressed to move him to a divisional rival, but if the Maple Leafs can sweeten the pot or offer the best deal, perhaps that could sway their decision.
