NHL Trade Rumors: 2 Bruins Forwards Becoming "Prime" Trade Candidates

Boston Bruins forwards Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie are emerging as potential trade candidates as the team struggles to find consistency early in the 2024-25 season, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. 

Both players have had rough starts and, coupled with their contract situations, could become appealing options for playoff-bound teams seeking depth and grit. 

Frederic, 26, is a pending unrestricted free agent who has contributed just three goals, three assists, and a minus-11 rating through 21 games. 

With his size, physicality, and energy, Frederic’s playing style is often coveted during the postseason. "If Frederic is not in Boston’s plans, he could be a valuable trade chip for teams looking to bolster their forward depth before the playoffs," Friedman noted.

Morgan Geekie has his first goal as a Bruin.

Good stuff from Poitras and Forbort.

2-1 game.

pic.twitter.com/5H2u9soIwe

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) October 22, 2023

Morgan Geekie, also 26, has struggled to replicate his career-high 39-point season from 2023-24, tallying just three assists and one goal through 16 games while posting a minus-7 rating. 

Frequently a healthy scratch, Geekie’s role on the team appears uncertain despite his offensive potential. 

With a $2 million cap hit and pending restricted free agency with arbitration rights next summer, Geekie could provide cap relief for the Bruins while drawing interest from teams in need of versatile depth forwards. 

According to Friedman, earlier trade buzz surrounding Geekie may have stemmed from his time out of the lineup, showing uncertainty about his long-term fit in Boston.

Trent Frederic's got two goals in the first! ✌️ #NHLStats: https://t.co/0cd9OQ97tN

📺: @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/Iw8nQzWL8H

— NHL (@NHL) November 16, 2024

The Bruins’ early-season struggles, paired with their limited cap space, make Frederic and Geekie logical trade candidates if the team chooses to retool. 

Both players possess qualities that are highly valued by playoff contenders. As Friedman explained, “Teams understand that if someone in the final season of his contract is not in their plans, they should find that player another situation.” 

With Boston sitting at .9-9-3 and having the third-worst goal differential in the league (-20), the coming months will determine whether these forwards remain part of the team’s future or are moved to secure assets for the organization.

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images