By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis
The Boston Bruins maybe 7-3 in their first ten games under interim head coach Joe Sacco, but they aren’t the only ones finding their game. Second-year center Matt Poitras is lighting up the AHL and making a case that he deserves to return to Boston before Christmas.
After another impressive training camp that saw him spend time centering David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, fans expected Poitras to become a Bruins staple this season. After losing the majority of last year to a shoulder injury, the Boston faithful were eager to watch a full season of the team’s most exciting prospect on Causeway Street. But, as we’ve seen this season, things don’t always happen as they should.
The Ontario native couldn’t replicate his red-hot start from last season (4-3-7 in his first 11 games), and the team stumbled out of the gate to a 7-7-2 record. Despite some impressive underlying metrics, Poitras was only able to muster one goal, three assists, and four points over his first 14 games. The slow start culminated in a demotion to the AHL on November 11, 2024.
The organization hoped that a stint in Providence would help the OHL alum regain his confidence, avoid the heavy collisions of the NHL, and fine-tune the details of his game. I’m happy to report that Poitras has passed the test with flying colors and may be pushing to make his way back to Boston.
Poitras is now up to four goals, seven assists, and 11 points through his first 12 AHL games. That stat line is even more impressive when you consider just how electric he’s been of late. After starting with only three points in his first seven games, Poitras has put the league on notice, posting four goals, four assists, and eight points over his last five games.
That kind of production lines up with what the Boston Bruins expected their young phenom to be able to accomplish this season. His demotion may not have been popular (or warranted), but it’s certainly paying dividends for the youngster’s confidence and production in December.
The question now is whether or not the Bruins will decide to give him another shot in the NHL. Boston has been playing its best hockey of the season (ignoring Tuesday night’s hiccup in Winnipeg), and management has given no indication that they’re ready to make a major shakeup.
Elias Lindholm and Charlie Coyle seem entrenched in the second and third-line center spots, and, in the past, the team has been hesitant to insert its younger players into the team’s top-six forward group. Joe Sacco may not be willing to throw Poitras into the lion’s den that is the first line with Pastrnak and Zacha. Would Don Sweeney bother calling Poitras up just to bury him in the bottom six again?
Roster decisions aside, it’s clear Matt Poitras has found his game and is regaining the confidence and swagger that made him such an exciting prospect last season. Now, it’s time for him to keep up the good work, continue putting up points, and force the team to consider him an upgrade moving forward.
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