When this Bruins’ season acquired underway in Washington again on October 12, Trent Frederic was not uniform.
After a decidedly uninspiring coaching camp, Frederic was a wholesome scratch for the B’s season opener in opposition to the Capitals. Some of us started questioning if there was even a spot for the 2016 twenty ninth total choose on the B’s roster.
But coach Jim Montgomery put Frederic within the subsequent recreation in opposition to Arizona, and the rugged winger hasn’t given Montgomery purpose to take him out since. Playing a accountable and centered recreation, Frederic has 3-2-5 totals and is plus-8 in 15 video games. He’s performed principally with Charlie Coyle, however has additionally been in a position to keep his degree of play when discovering a spot on the fourth line as effectively.
“His game has really grown,” mentioned Montgomery. “He might be the most improved player since training camp to where he is now. He’s playing a lot faster with and without the puck, he’s hanging on to more pucks. I think he’s creating more offense and he’s also very responsible in our own end.”
Frederic has had his share of ups and downs since he got here as much as the NHL for good within the bubble season of 2020-21. Some of that has been resulting from a few accidents, however he’s additionally been making an attempt to determine simply who he’s as a participant.
When he first got here up, he made a reputation for himself by not solely taking over Washington’s Tom Wilson in a few fights, but additionally making an attempt to be a sandpaper sort participant. Sometimes it labored out for him, different instances he didn’t.
But this yr, he appears to be centered on simply taking part in and letting the extra-curricular stuff come to him. He credit Montgomery for that.
“I think a lot of it is just confidence. I’m starting to just play and not think so much, not thinking about what I might do wrong. I’m just going out and playing, trying to do the best I can,” mentioned Frederic. “I’m not trying to play not to make a mistake, essentially, and Monty’s done a good job with that. Where I’ve made bad plays, he’s done a good job of teaching it and having me realize it in a different sense. I guess a lot of credit goes to him for that.”
While his NHL future will not be in goalscoring, he’s required to pitch in there. He acquired his first one out of the best way early in his second recreation of the yr in opposition to Florida, then scored a giant game-winner in opposition to the Rangers in addition to a key insurance coverage purpose in opposition to the Blues.
Having already contributed on that entrance has helped him keep away from dedicating an excessive amount of thoughts house to that a part of the sport.
“I don’t know if I’m a slow starter in that or what, but it’s nice to get a couple early,” mentioned Frederic. “It’s hard to score when that’s all you’re thinking about. You’ve got to do a lot of things right to get to that goal. It’s nice I don’t have to have that mindset. You can get stuck just wanting to score, wanting to score. But that’s not really how you do it. So that part of it is nice and it feels good to contribute to the team.”
As far because the fisticuffs go, Frederic has dropped the gloves twice this yr, and each instances have been considerably apparent conditions for him to do it. First, he avenged a success by Arizona’s Liam O’Brien that had concussed Brandon Carlo. The second one got here in opposition to the Rangers after Braden Schneider blew him up on a clear test. A.J. Greer truly beat Frederic to Schneider, however Frederic went with Barclay Goodrow anyway.
Frederic believes he has a greater really feel for the timing.
“I’m trying to just do it naturally and not just think about it. It’s obviously easier when you’re playing more and you’re in the action and it happens organically. But, yeah, I think I have a better sense of it,” mentioned Frederic…..
Montgomery made one change within the lineup, subbing in Anton Stralman for Jakub Zboril on the again finish. Stralman, signed off a PTO on the eve of the season opener, remains to be looking for his footing as a Bruin. He’s performed 4 video games with no factors and is minus-4. Intermittent work doesn’t make it any simpler, regardless of how lengthy the 36-year-old has been within the league.
“It’s just been a crazy start for me with the PTO and then the visa struggles. Ever since those days, I’ve been just playing catch-up a little bit,” mentioned Stralman after the elective morning skate. “I’m working on my game behind the scenes a little bit and I just have to be ready when I’m called on. It was good that we at least had a couple of days practicing and I’m in a good spot mentally and physically. But it is (different) for me and I have to deal with it. But that’s more of a mental part. It’s a team sport. We’re here to win and the team’s winning, so that makes me happy.”…
Patrice Bergeron entered Thursday’s recreation three factors wanting 1,000 for his profession.
Source: www.bostonherald.com