3. Trent Frederic – Forward
Selected 29th overall in the first round in 2016, forward Trent Frederic was the second Bruins player selected in the opening round. At No. 14, Sweeney chose defensemen Charlie McAvoy, who is now a foundation piece of the defense in Boston.
The Bruins saw something in Frederic to choose him ahead well ahead of his projected late second/early third-round draft spot. Frederic brings a unique game that the Bruins have not seen recently. He is projected as a bottom-six forward that is not afraid to drop the gloves, as evident as his 148 penalty minutes in Providence last season, and he can also add offense.
In his three seasons in the AHL, he has 27 goals and 38 assists. This season, he finished with a plus-10 in 59 games. He has played in 17 regular-season games over the span of the last two seasons in Boston and even recorded his first career fight in the NHL.
The selection at the time four years ago was a bit of a head-scratcher by Sweeney, but he has an opportunity to make the Bruins Opening Night roster if he is able to have a good training camp, whenever it begins.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound 22-year old would be a nice addition to the fourth line that can provide toughness and supply offensive production. It’s too early to call, but could he fill a spot that Gregory Campbell filled for many years for the Bruins.