Insider Confirms Boston Bruin Forward is on the Trade Block

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Daniel Lucente
November 7, 2024 (1:40 PM)

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NHL insider Kevin Weekes has recently revealed that the Boston Bruins are close to possibly trading their young forward Trent Frederic after a slow start this year.

According to NHL insider Kevin Weekes, there's a rumor milling about that Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic might be traded. At 26 years young, Frederic is approaching free agency and the Bruins seem very willing to listen to trade offers as several teams have shown interest of late. That growing demand would indicate he's got some significant appeal to other franchises despite the subpar season he's suffered to date.

The season has not gone all that well for either Frederic or the Bruins. He has scored only one goal and accumulated just three points in 13 games, mirroring how the entire team has struggled through the early part of the 2024-25 season.

Boston's mediocre start to the season has put added pressure everyone, including head coach Jim Montgomery, and the benching of star player David Pastrnak; a move that has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Other moves to bring in some new life included the recent addition of two-time Stanley Cup champion veteran Tyler Johnson, acquired in hopes of firming up their offense.

Interestingly, Boston's struggles extend beyond the on-ice product. According to a recent report by the Mass Opportunity Alliance, the location of the team, more specifically, Massachusetts' state income tax, could affect its ability to retain top talent.

Of the past five Stanley Cup-winning teams, four came from states that don't have any income tax, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vegas Golden Knights. That's an advantage, some say, in players' money decisions, and might impact Boston's future dealings with their stars.

«Brad Marchand, the Bruins' veteran forward, earned $5 million before taxes in the 2023-24 season. But after being levied a state income tax in Massachusetts, his take-home pay was just $2.934 million.

Had Marchand played for a team in either Nevada, Washington State, Florida or Texas, he would have walked home with $3.3 million, or around $400,000 more, according to MOA.»

«Pastrnak earned an annual salary of $13 million last season. If he were a member of the Dallas Stars, the Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, Florida Panthers or Tampa Bay Lightning, his net income would be $7.97 million.»

That's a big concern for captain Brad Marchand, who is getting near the end of his eight-year, $49M contract. The rumblings are the Bruins extended a three-year offer to Marchand, who in turn said no, a potentially divisive moment in negotiations.

Boston just got done wading through contract disputes with its players where state tax became something of a sticking point. The same could be a massive hurdle in the road to re-signing Marchand and other free agents, particularly with the long-time Bruin an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Boston has a bunch of challenges on and off the ice: Be it the trade rumors surrounding Trent Frederic, the contract uncertainties with Brad Marchand, or income tax implications that might continue to affect how they'll be able to attract and retain talent.

The Bruins are under the microscope this season. How they go about working out these hurdles will define not just their season but the long-term viability of the team in the competitive Atlantic Division, or it could be the end of the once powerful Boston dynasty.