Bruins Rookie Center Earning His Keep

All summer, the Boston Bruins were trying to find replacements for retiring centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, and a difficult transition was becoming inevitable. General Manager Don Sweeney signed Morgan Geekie to a two-year contract and picked up Jesper Boqvist to a one-year deal as insurance, but heading into the season with center depth being a weakness was a concern. But something happened in September. It’s something that might help the Bruins avoid a major step backward.

Rookie center Matt Poitras dominated the Ontario Hockey League last season to the tune of 79 assists and showed why being a second-round pick at 54th overall in 2022 was a steal for Boston. The 5-foot-11 center was going to get a second crack at Bruins Training Camp with an eye on returning to the Guelph Storm for the season. Because the playmaking forward is only 19, going to Providence in the American Hockey League would not be an option, so the odds of making the jump to Boston were slim.

But in a surprising development, Poitras led the Bruins in points during the preseason and earned an extended “tryout” during the first nine games of the regular season. Surely, the real season would expose the young center some. Well, not really. Poitras has been just as good in the first five games of his career, and a two-goal performance in Anaheim highlights that on Sunday. With three points in the five games, Poitras has earned his keep, and all signs point to the forward being with the NHL club all season long. The Bruins can not help him burn the first year of Poitras’ entry-level contract and keep him with the parent club.

Related: Matthew Poitras Stats

Poitras has been a force on the second line for Boston, as evidenced by his efforts on Sunday. That second line held a 5-1 high-danger chances advantage against the Ducks, while the Ducks had ten chances to Boston’s one when Poitras was not on the ice. Poitras has also brought a playmaker to the power play and should get more minutes there soon.

The Bruins needed a center, and Poitras delivered. Now, it is time for the Bruins to make the right call and keep him in Boston for the foreseeable future. Poitras brings offensive skill and a look into the future for Bruins fans, who now have another center to watch for years to come.

Season 4. Episode 21. LIVE! On Break – Bruins Benders Podcast

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