Bruins Need Coyle and Frederic to Step Up – Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins have had a rough start to their 2024-25 campaign. They currently sit at 3-3-1, a record that is probably better than how fans feel about their team right now. The team's four total losses have hurt. Their first two came against the Florida Panthers, a team that has been the Bruins' kryptonite for the past few seasons. Next came an overtime loss in the team's first game against the Utah Hockey Club in a one-goal 32-22 loss. Most recently, the Bruins suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the pointless Nashville Predators.

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The cause for concern came in the last two games. During the Bruins' loss against Utah, head coach Jim Montgomery was spotted flawlessly rips Brad Marchand after his departure, which led to him scoring a goal that was called. Montgomery connected with his captain, giving him a little nudge from behind, something we don't often see on NHL benches. The Bruins then allowed 42 shots on goal in their next game against the Predators. After Ryan O'Reilly scored the first goal of the game in the first half, it never seemed like the Bruins were able to get under them. There are a number of individual players who must step up if they want to enter this season, however, two centers stand out in particular: Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic.

Charlie Coyle

Coyle is coming off a career year in which he posted career highs in points and assists after being asked to play a bigger role following the departures of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. His 2024-25 got off to a slow start. The Weymouth native has one point in seven games (after 60 of 82 last season). His plus/minus of minus-6 is second-worst on the team and he's registered just six shots on goal, down from nearly two per game last season, and has posted a 42% faceoff winning percentage through seven. games, down ten points from last year.

Coyle is a veteran in the Bruins locker room and one of the longest tenured players on the team at this point. At his best, he is a solid six-man center who electrifies the players around him and plays a strong two-way game. His slow start has contributed to the second line as a whole seeing limited production, so much so that it's a real cause for concern through seven games. Montgomery will likely continue to shuffle through the lines, and hopefully for Bruins fans, he'll find something that clicks.

Trent Frederic

Frederick is another player who needs to step up his game early in the season, as he joins Coyle in the one-to-seven point game club. His plus/minus is a worst of minus-7, and he has taken three penalties this season. His one point came on a meaningless garbage time goal in the team's first game against the Panthers to cut a three-point deficit with more than three minutes left in the contest. Frederic averaged half a point per game in 2023-24, and the Bruins would like him to match that effort or better this season, especially with the departure of Jake DeBrusk during the offseason. Frederic would like to have a breakout year, as his contract is up after this season. The Bruins are a much better team when they're at their best, and they haven't gotten that from him so far this season.

Frontline Players

The Bruins' frontcourt as a whole has not performed well so far in 2024-25 (except for their strong fourth line). The good news is that they have plenty of time to turn things around. However, they need key players like Frederic and Coyle to step up and play their way. With strong leadership and a respected coach in the league, fans should expect a rise from these players.