By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
A hot topic continues to surround the Boston Bruins and their fans this offseason: the future of one of the team’s brightest young stars, Matthew Poitras. Fans have been debating this issue since the draft, presenting an intriguing dilemma. It’s hard to believe that Don Sweeney would consider trading the young center, especially after witnessing his flashes of brilliance. However, could it make sense as the team aims to build for the future?
Last season was quite eventful for the Guelph Storm product, as he moved between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL) multiple times. In the NHL, Poitras displayed inconsistency and often struggled to maintain control of the puck. It was evident that he became hesitant to take shots at times, which negatively affected his production. However, the most concerning issue was his visible frustration; the team’s lack of success was impacting him.
There were several games where I experienced the same frustration he did. There was an extended period during which Poitras gave his teammates great opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the net. As this frustration mounted, along with the challenges in his defense and physical play, the team decided to assign him to the minors for most of the season. The former Team Canada World Junior Assistant Captain concluded his NHL season with 1-10-11 in 33 games.
When discussing Poitras’ time in the AHL, there is a significant distinction between his two stints. His first stint was dominant; he found a home on a line with Georgii Merkulov and Vinni Lettieri, which consistently produced at least one point per game. This line played a key role in Matthew’s seven-game goal streak, the second longest in the AHL last season, trailing only former Bruin Chris Wagner, who had an eight-game streak. During this period, Poitras showcased his offensive skills but continued to absorb hits from other players without retaliating. Teams like the Hartford Wolfpack exploited this by attempting to get under his skin after the whistle, fully aware that he would not defend himself.
The second stint was utterly different from the first. Two significant changes were the injury of Georgii Merkulov and Vinni Lettieri being called up to Boston. As a result, Poitras had to seek a new connection, and he found one in Dans Locmelis. The Ajax, Ontario native continued to excel alongside his new partner, completely outskilling every team they faced. Dans performed exceptionally well with Poitras, finishing the season with an impressive average of two points per game. Matthew concluded the AHL season with 17-24-41 in 40 games. He earned Player of the Week honors just a week before the season ended, as he and Locmelis both contributed seven points in two games.
The most significant difference in Poitras’ approach is his newfound aggressiveness and determination. He plays with intensity and a no-nonsense attitude, which wasn’t evident in his playing style in the NHL. He appears much more confident in the corners, battles hard for the puck, makes hits along the boards, and engages in scrums. One of the primary concerns for fans was his previous difficulty and reluctance to engage in physical play. However, he now appears to be a completely different player, and he may be ready to start the upcoming NHL season.
Fans now believe that this might be the ideal time to trade Poitras after drafting James Hagens, especially since Elias Lindholm is secured for the foreseeable future. The former Team Canada World Junior Assistant Captain excels as a top-six center, and many believe that placing him on the third line would not effectively showcase his skills.
I completely agree with those points, but I wouldn’t want to count our chickens before they hatch. One issue is that we have no idea when Hagens will be ready to step into the NHL. It wouldn’t be wise to carve out a role for him before the season starts, assuming he can leave Boston College and immediately take on a top-six NHL position.
With the number of bottom-six forwards the Bruins have brought in, it isn’t easy to project the lines for next season. However, I would be open to Poitras playing on the third line if it’s alongside skilled players like Fraser Minten, Matej Blumel, or Fabian Lysell.
Currently, there are trade rumors surrounding Pavel Zacha, which may create an opening for a center on the second line between Casey Mittelstadt and the newly acquired Viktor Arvidsson.
Matthew Poitras should remain in the center position. Keeping him in the middle allows the team to maximize his potential. Considering the current uncertainty, it would be a mistake to let go of a player who is still developing and just turned 21 in March. The Bruins should allow Poitras to begin this coming season as a top-nine center and then assess his performance as the season progresses. As I noted earlier, his play in Providence was promising, and the Boston Bruins could greatly benefit from the offensive spark that Matthew Poitras can provide. This is why moving on from Poitras right now could be a costly mistake.
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