Welcome to the NHL Trade Buzz. There are 26 days remaining until the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. ET and the buzz is just starting.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins have spent the season looking for a third-line center to replace Riley Nash, who departed via free agency to the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 1.

They have tried virtually every internal option they have: Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Colby Cave, Sean Kuraly.

Now it's Trent Frederic's turn.

Frederic made a notable NHL debut in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden on Tuesday, playing a physical, controlled game.

Video: WPG@BOS: Frederic reunites with Backes before debut

"I thought he played very well," coach Bruce Cassidy said after the game. "He's as advertised, played between the dots, strong on pucks, played behind their D, made a few plays. If he had a chance to shoot it, he did."

Not that much can be read into a single game, but Frederic has a couple of weeks to prove that he can nail down that spot while the Bruins look for external help ahead of the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline. The biggest holes for the Bruins, who fashion themselves as a Stanley Cup contender, have been a second-line right wing to play with David Krejci and a third-line center who might make that line into a scoring threat, or at least not a liability.

A few names have been floated in the rumor mill for the center opening: Charlie Coyle (Minnesota Wild), Kevin Hayes (New York Rangers) and Jeff Carter (Los Angeles Kings). It remains to be seen if the Bruins are willing to pay the prices those players will command, especially with the NHL leading Tampa Bay Lightning (37-10-2, 76 points) 16 points ahead of Boston (27-17-6) in the Atlantic Division.

Hayes spoke to NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen on Monday and said his preference is to stay with the Rangers.

General manager Don Sweeney has repeatedly said he is committed to utilizing the prospects the Bruins have amassed the past few seasons. They'll take a long look at Frederic, the latest option, to see if maybe there's a fit who doesn't require surrendering assets in a trade.

The 20-year-old left the University of Wisconsin early, made his professional debut with Providence of the American Hockey League last season and has 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) for Providence this season.

On Tuesday he skated with Danton Heinen and David Backes, his childhood idol growing up in St. Louis, who gave the rookie a glowing review.

"That's like the old days when you get into the lineup and you wanted to make your mark and show that you'll do anything to stay there," Backes said. "He did a heck of a job and I'm proud of him."

Frederic gets his next chance to prove himself against the surging Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, NESN, NBCSP+, NHL.TV).

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers won their fifth consecutive game by defeating the New York Rangers 1-0 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Philadelphia (21-23-6, 48 points) is 10 points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-17-6) for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, but a run could make its intentions before the Trade Deadline a bit more complicated.

On Monday, general manager Chuck Fletcher said, "I could see us buying and selling," with the idea that the Flyers could end up with assets that could help for the next few seasons.

Video: What moves should the Flyers make?

But if they're in contention for a wild card spot, does that change the approach?

Forward Wayne Simmonds, who is in the final season of a six-year contract (average annual value $3.97 million), is one of the options for the Flyers to move ahead of the deadline. The sides have had conversations to that end, reports NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman.

Simmonds is not the only option for the Flyers to move -- or to keep. The only untouchable is forward Claude Giroux, according to Fletcher, but goalie Carter Hart is likely on that list as well.

The other goalies could be up for grabs. Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth are on injured reserve, with Hart and Anthony Stolarz on the Flyers' active roster after Mike McKenna was loaned to Lehigh Valley of the AHL for conditioning purposes. Stolarz made 38 saves against the Rangers in his first game back from a lower-body injury sustained Dec. 15.

And with Hart likely to remain in Philadelphia the rest of the season, there is a possibility of trading some goalie depth when healthy. Elliott, out since Nov. 15, is traveling with the Flyers and close to taking shots. He may need at least another two weeks to recover from his lower-body injury, though Neuvirth could be back sooner.

So how does the calculus go for Fletcher? He is likely fielding calls while keeping one eye on his current roster, including what they can do against the Bruins on Thursday, one eye on the Eastern Conference standings, and both hands busy dialing.