A major development has emerged regarding Matthew Poitras being promoted by the Bruins
A new development has emerged regarding Matthew Poitras getting a better shot with the Boston Bruins.
Matthew Poitras has been impressing since the Boston Bruins picked him 54th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. From dominating the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to earning a spot on the Bruins roster, he's taken full advantage of every opportunity.
This season, Poitras has continued to stand out. After recovering from shoulder surgery, many thought he might need time in the American Hockey League (AHL) to get back to NHL speed. However, the Ajax, Ontario native silenced those doubts with a strong preseason, earning a spot on the team for the second straight year.
Now, six games into the regular season, Poitras is turning heads again. Since returning from an injury caused by a hit from Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, Poitras ranks second on the team in even-strength expected goals percentage, just behind Cole Koepke. Across all situations, he leads the Bruins in that same stat.
Despite the Bruins scoring 21 goals, tied for sixth in the league, their top-six forwards haven't contributed much. Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie are still searching for their first goals, and Charlie Coyle has just one.
Coach Jim Montgomery has also tried Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau in the top-six without success. Poitras might be the missing piece to spark the offense.
Though he has only one point this season, Poitras has shown he can create offensive chances. Last year, he recorded 15 points in 33 games, despite limited ice time and no power-play opportunities. Giving him more minutes could lead to better results.
Poitras can play both center and right-wing, making him versatile. While his faceoff win rate is high, placing him on the wing might allow him to focus on his offensive skills without worrying as much about tough defensive matchups.
Pairing him with Coyle could boost the Bruins' scoring, and Geekie could slide back to the third line, where he's had success before. Either way, Poitras has earned a chance to move up to the top-six.
Do you think the Boston Bruins should try Matthew Poitras on the second-line?
