The Colorado Avalanche could be looking to make more moves heading into the final moments of this year’s trade deadline. The Avalanche have already shocked the NHL world by making crucial deals like acquiring MacKenzie Blackwood and Ryan Lindgren while trading Mikko Rantanen.
However, the Avalanche may not be done adding pieces. In particular, the Avalanche could be looking to add to their forward group if nothing else materializes. As it stands, the Avalanche forward group looks solid. The Avs can ice to good scoring lines.
So, what else could the Avalanche add to complete their existing group? A player with a combination of size, grit, and some scoring skills could be just what Colorado’s bottom six could. A player fitting that description is Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic.
Frederic has been swirling around trade rumors all season. Mainly, the biggest issue surrounding free Frederic is his impending UFA status. Frederic is in the final year of a two-year deal carrying a $2.3 million AAV. Given that he’s managed just 15 points in 57 games this season, it doesn’t seem like Frederic will be commanding a huge long-term deal this offseason.
But given how bad the Bruins have been this season, Frederic’s lack of scoring may not be solely his fault. There have been plenty of things that haven’t gone well in Boston, leading many to believe that Frederic could benefit from a reset with a true contender.
Colorado could provide that opportunity for Frederic. He can slide into the Avs’ bottom six either as a center on the fourth line or perhaps as a winger on the third line. Frederic could line up as a third-line center if need be.
But perhaps the most valuable aspect of Frederic’s arrival would be the flexibility he brings. Having someone who could play up and down the bottom six is a valuable and often overlooked skill.
Looking at the cost for Colorado Avalanche to acquire Trent Frederic
The cost for someone like Trent Frederic likely depends on how confident the Bruins are in re-signing him. The entire motivation behind Boston moving on from Frederic is their seeming inability to reach a long-term deal.
So, the Bruins may be compelled to move him for something instead of losing him for nothing this summer. In my estimation, that situation could mean the Avalanche getting Frederic for a mid-round pick or a combination of later-round picks.
For instance, the Avalanche could land Frederic for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder. Something like that could move the needle for Boston. Alternatively, the Avalanche may want to throw in a later-round pick, something like a sixth-rounder, plus a lower-tier prospect.
Now, as far as the Avalanche signing Frederic beyond this season, that’s another story. Bringing in Trent Frederic now is purely a short-term move focused on this season. While it would be a great move to sign Frederic long-term, working out such a deal will remain to be seen.