Marchand Makes Bold Statement Relating This Bruin To Marner

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Austin Sabourin
October 5, 2023 (11:26)

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During a recent practice session, Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery made an interesting lineup decision. He had 19-year-old Matt Poitras centering a line with Bruins captain Brad Marchand and winger Trent Frederic in preparation for the team's preseason home finale against the Washington Capitals.

After the practice, Marchand had some glowing words for Poitras, praising the young center's skills on both offense and defense stating:

«He's smart on both sides of the puckthe way he moves and can dish it,» Brad Marchand said when asked to give his scouting report on Poitras. «Just reminds me of [Mitch] Marner. It's similar where he's not timid to get into the dirty areas and compete for pucks. He's got great vision. He does a great job of cutting to the middle and buying himself some space. He's able to find the quiet areas where he has an extra second to make a play. Even when he's under pressure, and guys are kind of barreling down, he finds holes. He's got great vision, for sure.»

Upon hearing Marchand's compliments, Poitras couldn't hide his excitement, considering it a significant compliment from a veteran player like Marchand,

«That's pretty cool; that's a good compliment,»

he said with a wide smile.

Marchand, who brings a wealth of experience at 35, also offered some words of caution. He stressed the importance of consistency and pointed out the challenge of playing on consecutive nights, which is a crucial test for young players aiming for the next level. Despite the challenges, Marchand expressed confidence in Poitras' potential, believing the young player has a bright future ahead.

As seen on bostonhockeynow