Chris Wagner’s spot could be in trouble.
For most of this season, Chris Wagner has struggled, even on the Bruins fourth-line. Not much production is expected from him to begin with, but he does have two goals and three assists in 32 games.
The addition of Lazar as part of the Hall trade has given the Bruins a much-needed jolt of energy in the middle of the bottom line. They have drawn the starting assignment in the last two games against the Islanders and set the tone from the drop of the puck with high-energy shifts.
But one problem that has been an issue for Wagner is his inconsistent play, as well as turning the puck over at bad times. He also brings with him each time he takes the ice a plus/minus of minus-9. That’s not even the worst on the team, but something tells me we’ll get there eventually.
Trent Frederic has missed some time recently with a non-COVID-19 related illness, but there signs pointing to him getting closer to a return. He has been on the ice recently at the Bruins training facility, Warrior Ice Arena, before the team comes out for practice getting some skating and shots in.
When Frederic is ready to return, there’s a very good chance that he’ll be inserted into the lineup. He does have four goals, so there’s a better chance of him finding the back of the net than Wagner, but at this point, anything he can add is better than what Wagner is giving right now.