For the last two seasons, the Boston Bruins have needed young center Matt Poitras to learn on the fly in the National Hockey League. The team has lacked a quality playmaking center and Poitras fits that profile, even at 20 years of age. Last season, Poitras could only either play in the NHL or go back to the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. This season, Poitras made the roster outright and had a goal and three assists in 14 games before being sent down to Providence of the American Hockey League to help further his development. Poitras has done just that in 14 games with the Bruins’ affiliate.
The 2022 second-round draft pick is currently on a six-game goal streak, has eight assists in the 14 games, and is carrying a plus-8 rating. In a 5-2 Providence win over Hartford on Sunday, Poitras scored a goal and added an assist. With this, Poitras has 11 points over his last seven games. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound center is dominating the AHL game in a way that many would hope for a player with the potential to be a top-six center in the NHL. The Bruins need Matt Poitras to be a solid 60-70 point forward in the league, and this stretch of play in Providence is a good sign of things to come.
With the Bruins having the good fortune of being fairly healthy in their forward group, look for Poitras to be in the American Hockey League for the foreseeable future. Providence Head Coach Ryan Mougenel thinks it is the best way to develop Poitras.
“This time is real important in his growth, and his development based on the fact that when you’re in the NHL, you’re learning on the fl,y and it’s a tough league to learn on the fly in”, Mougenel said after Sunday’s win.” For Poitras down here, it’s the things that we believe will give him longevity in the NHL, digging in in the D zone and on the walls. We really value that here. Those are the things that build credit in the bank for him when he goes up.”
Poitras’ NHL Future
When he will go up is anyone’s guess, but judging by his play and his coach’s comments, Poitras will be in Providence for an extended period, and he will be continuing to show great promise toward being the player the Bruins hope and need him to be.
Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway – Bruins Benders Podcast
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