The 2023-24 Boston Bruins are going to be an intriguing team. Younger guys will step up and they have one in sight. Boston Bruins 2022 second-round pick Matthew Poitras has arguably been the best player in Bruins training camp. The 19-year-old has been doing everything right, and there’s not much to complain about from him. After being nearly a point and a half per game player with Guelph in The OHL last season, it seems like he’s ready for the next level.
Matthew Poitras Making Case to making the 2023-24 Boston Bruins
Instincts and Positioning
Entering the 2023-24 season, the Boston Bruins have vacant opening spots. Poitras has stood out with his level of play. One thing that has really stood out for Poitras is he always seems to be in the right place. His positioning in all three zones is impressive, and his hockey instincts are front and centre. He has made a lot of plays in both ends that were a result of being in the right spot and making the right decision with the puck. He looks like a guy who has done this at the NHL level for a long time.
His instincts are just as impressive, as he always knows where to go with the puck on his stick. When he sees space in the neutral zone, he uses his speed to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Furthermore, he does an excellent job finding teammates on the wings if space through the middle is taken away. Just all-around great poise from the young centre. A play that stood out was in the fifth preseason game, where he beat Evgeni Kuznetzov going to the net and tucked the puck home on a beautiful finish.
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Vision and Puck Distribution
The vision he has shown has been unbelievable, as he’s made a number of very creative passes that set up quality scoring chances. The high area of the offensive zone has proven to be his bread and butter, using the space to create open looks for teammates. On the power play, he has been stellar, moving the puck to areas that lead to generating chances and putting him a back open in a good shooting area.
Puck distribution has been clearly his biggest strength. Last year, for the Guelph Storm in the OHL, Poitras recorded 79 assists. So it’s no surprise his passing has looked so elite. He has often made a pass during the preseason that looks like it was made by an experienced NHL playmaker. He has a nack to see the ice and get the puck into areas where it doesn’t seem like there’s a passing lane. His puck distribution and vision on the ice have only improved each game.
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Where He Fits on the 2023-24 Bruins Roster
This is where things get tricky for the 2023-24 Boston Bruins. Going into this season, the Bruins only had two of their center spots solidified. But now, with the emergence of Poitras, that number should be three. During camp, he has skated separately on a line with both David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. His chemistry with Marchand in games has looked very natural, which should slot him onto a line with him. Ideally, if Poitras does make the team, a line with him in the middle and Marchand and Jake DeBrusk as his wingers would make the most sense.
Having a 19-year-old as one of your top two centres may seem questionable, but the kid has earned it. He’s done everything they’ve asked of him and more. One shift that stood out was where he blocked a shot against the Capitals and was clearly labouring, but he stayed on the ice and finished his shift. In addition to his five-on-five play, he has seen significant power-play time and is killing penalties. Matthew Poitras, without a doubt, has earned an opening night roster spot with Boston. If he doesn’t meet expectations in the regular season, the team has nine games to send him back to Guelph in the OHL.
Main Photo: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
