Poitras is too good to be sent down.
The ahl is also just as violent if not more violent. Lots of fringe tough guys in the ahl. Sending him to the ahl to prevent an injury doesn’t make any sense to me.
I think sending this kid down would be criminal.
I didn't say you would send him to Providence to prevent injury.
Hey, I love the guy. He's my binky.
At the beginning of last season, you will recall Poitras was in limbo between going back to junior and making the club because they couldn't send him to Providence.
I was working for the Watertown Best Buy (where I lived at the time) at Arsenal Yards mall.
There is a Sheraton hotel nearby.
This fresh faced kid walks in wearing a Guelph Storm hoodie, and I remarked that the Bruins have a rookie who played for Guelph Storm. I tried and failed to properly pronounce the name Poitras.
Hey grinned and said, "Yes, that's me."
I was flabbergasted.
I am small, and he wasn't much bigger. He was very gracious, and I told him how admirable his performance had been in camp. And to keep going.
He even took a selfie with me, which was the first time I've taken a selfie in my life.
I liked his game before I met him and remain impressed. My understanding is that he has bulked up a bit, putting on about eight pounds (of muscle, I assume).
Matt absolutely needs to learn how to play against bigger, stronger players looking to knock him into next week.
As important, he needs to use his elusiveness to dish the puck or simply get rid of it to avoid (late) hits, rather than hang on to it and attempt to make a play.
That's usually the case when he absorbs a hard hit, late or otherwise. Often, his head is down and he is entirely focused on the puck. That cannot continue.
Wherever he learns this skill makes little difference to me.
As long as he learns it.