By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
Forward Matthew Poitras is a creative player that’s running out of time to make a difference for the Boston Bruins’ starting lineup. For a team still shaping its identity, his development could become a small but important factor in how the Bruins piece together their next phase.
His offensive game requires him to be on the attacking side of the ice for him to maximize his value. His defensive game relies on his positioning to this point, which is something that he’s brought to the table. Poitras will either need to maximize his defer-oriented, off-the-puck style with a secondary offensive skill, or dig in and become more of a physical presence.
For the attack, Poitras relies on his passing ability and his elusive skating in tight spaces, tallying 18 goals and 34 assists across Providence and Boston last season. His ability to consistently provide this playmaking has been frequently disrupted by opponents taking advantage of his size to fend him off.
Progressing as a shooting threat could help him overcome this, forcing opponents to respect a second possible outcome when he has the puck. If he wants to take a different route, adding the strength to fend off opponents and attack physically could help him stay upright and process the game more effectively. The more likely path for his offensive production would be to add some physicality, since being available and active on the forecheck is more in his control than relying and producing on shot volume.
For defensive responsibilities, his main asset is being in the right spot to shut down opportunities and transition play out of the zone. His size has been an issue on this end of the ice as well, keeping him from asserting himself more in wall and stick battles.
Staying consistent in his positioning would not be a negative development, as it serves an important purpose for the rest of the unit and their defensive formation. However, leaning on physicality while defending could help him develop into a two-way player, adding impact to a team-wide forecheck plan that is crucial to its success. Ultimately, with this plan in place, increasing physicality on the defensive side will likely be a requirement for players like Poitras going forward.
It will come down to either more skill or more brute force for Poitras, and that choice will most likely determine his career. Life in the modern National Hockey League is tough for playmakers like him, forcing them to create opportunities at an above-average rate to keep up with lower scoring and physical play.
General manager Don Sweeney surely recognizes this as part of the organization’s retooling phase. Bringing youth and energy off the ice to complement his creativity on it, Poitras will have his shot at an important opportunity going forward. If his growth lines up with the organization’s vision, it could strengthen Boston’s transition and give the Bruins another building block for the years ahead.
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