Poitras Has Another Chance to Find His Place in Boston
Written by Gina Anton
BOSTON — Matt Poitras entered his fourth training camp with the Boston Bruins facing a familiar question: could he finally turn his NHL opportunities into a permanent roster spot?
After his first preseason game, that question looks a little different.
Poitras was one of Boston’s most noticeable forwards in Sunday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Washington Capitals. He created chances throughout the game, looked more comfortable physically and won the offensive-zone faceoff that set up Charlie McAvoy’s game-tying goal late in the third period.
For a player whose place on the opening-night roster is still uncertain, it was exactly the type of performance he needed.
A Fourth Season, Another Opportunity
Poitras is no longer the 19-year-old who surprised Boston by making the team in 2023. The Bruins selected him 54th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, and he quickly earned his first NHL opportunity.
Since then, establishing himself in Boston has been more difficult. Poitras has appeared in 69 NHL games, recording seven goals and 20 assists, while spending significant time with the Providence Bruins. Last season, he recorded 44 points in 69 AHL games and now has 85 points in 109 career games with Providence.
His production in the AHL has never really been the question. The challenge has been translating that consistency to Boston.
That made this offseason important. The Bruins signed Poitras to a one-year, two-way contract on September 16 with an $850,000 NHL cap hit. He is also now waiver-eligible, meaning Boston would have to expose him to the rest of the league before sending him to Providence.
Poitras Made His Case
That is what made his performance against Washington so significant.
Poitras did more than simply contribute offensively. He was noticeable throughout the game and showed a stronger willingness to compete physically, something that has been part of the conversation surrounding his development.
The performance also changed the question surrounding his roster spot. Instead of simply asking whether Boston should keep Poitras, the Bruins now have to consider where they could fit him.
Boston has several players competing for limited spots, including younger centers James Hagens, Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. There are also established veterans competing for roles throughout the bottom six.
Poitras received an important opportunity late in the game alongside Hagens and Minten, and he made the most of it. His performance did not guarantee him a roster spot, but it made the decision more difficult to ignore.
More Than Offense
Poitras knows he needs to bring more than scoring if he wants to stay in Boston.
He has acknowledged that he can sometimes try to do too much with the puck. Playing a simpler game, staying above the puck and earning the trust of the coaching staff will be important as he competes for a regular role.
“I really want to work hard here in camp and earn an opportunity to play here,” Poitras said during training camp last week. “I’m confident in myself that I’m an everyday NHL player but just prove to everybody that I can be in the lineup every night and be relied on.”
That could ultimately determine where he fits. Head coach Marco Sturm has also said he prefers Poitras in the middle, where the Bruins could have an opportunity for him to compete for a center role.
Poitras has already shown that he can produce in Providence. Now, he needs to show Boston that his game can translate consistently enough to the NHL.
A Chance to Change the Conversation
Three seasons ago, Poitras entered Boston as one of the organization's promising young players. Now, he is entering a season where another strong opportunity could determine whether he finally becomes a regular part of the Bruins.
His preseason debut did not guarantee him a roster spot, but it gave Boston something to think about.
After spending the past few seasons trying to find his place, Poitras has started this one by making it harder for the Bruins to leave him out.
