Boston Bruins 1st Rounder Trent Frederic Will Not Be Pigeon-Holed

Boston Bruins 1st Rounder Trent Frederic Will Not Be Pigeon-Holed After Lowly Scouting Reports

Despite being deemed a bottom-six forward by scouts across the NHL – including the Bruins scouts – Trent Frederic refuses to settle for the role that has been defined for him. In today’s day and age, it’s almost impossible for any prospects to stay unplugged, or be entirely unaware of what’s being said about them. Much to Frederic’s credit, however, none of the things being said about him seem to bother him.

“I’m just kind of excited to be on the team,” Frederic said. “It doesn’t really matter where you get picked. It’s just what you do from there.”

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It’s no secret that players drafted in the first round are typically expected to do more than others. If players like Jimmy Vesey or Torey Krug have proven anything, however, it’s that players drafted outside of the first round – or who go undrafted entirely – can still provide value and be deemed effective, high-end talent.

“I guess I’ve got a little pressure (as a first-round pick), but I think I like that. So it makes me push myself harder. So it’s good.”

While the Bruins did admit they purposely drafted Frederic with the intention of using him as a third line grinder, John Ferguson, the Bruins executive of player personnel, back-tracked on that recently.

“What we saw and what he demonstrated [in his draft year] with the U.S. National Team Development Program and growing up amongst a real top group of kids out of St. Louis, he’s a tremendous athlete,” Ferguson said. “He is big and strong (6-foot-2, 203 pounds) in the middle. That size and strength in the middle projects well. We certainly think, we’re not going to put a ceiling on anyone at this age, but he does demonstrate the ability to be a real solid two-way center with size.”

When talking about being more productive offensively with two healthy hands, Frederic seems to fully believe he can be a bigger factor on that side of the puck.

“For sure, I think I do,” he said. “And when I’m put in a position for the offensive side, maybe I can do it and deliver,” he said. “I think that’s one of the reasons they picked me as well.”

Next: Brad Marchand's Contract Should Get Done

The Bruins drafted Frederic in the first round, and questions about his ability to live up to that pick will be questioned for years to come. All the young centerman can do at this point, however, is keep moving forward and play to the best of his ability to show that he’s capable of improving and making a real impact at the NHL level one day.