I'm not sold on Potsy as an impact guy down the road.
He absolutely has the work ethic and drive but there are times where he looks lost. Basically a better Frederic. I think a lot of the hype comes from the fact our prospect system is so barren guys like him are elevated when in reality they're probably a B level guy in a deeper system. Similar to Beecher.
Still early since he hasn't even played 50 games at the pro level, but idk. I do think he'll have a long career with how hard he works his ass off though.
Matt Poitras is 20 years old.
He jumped from Guelph Storm to the NHL at nineteen because of his talent and hockey sense.
The Bruins at the time were between a rock and a hard place relative to center.
They were desperate for help up the middle.
Per NHL rules I know nothing about, Boston could not send Matthew to Providence.
Should they send him back down to juniors, where he had little left to learn?
Bruins management chose to keep him with the big club.
After an impressive camp and initial success at the NHL level, Poitras hit the rookie wall.
Later, his performance on the international stage was less than stellar. Then, he sustained a seasoned ending shoulder injury.
Recall, though.
He was just 19 when breaking into the league with a fairly decent team.
Matt has to learn how to play against men, men targeting him because of his skill, diminutive stature and crucial position at center.
Used to having the puck on his stick, his instinct is always to make the play. Even when getting rid of the puck would be the better part of valor.
Thus far this means Poitras holds on to the puck longer than is sensible in pursuit of making a play.
Head down.
You see the result.
He is young enough and intelligent enough to figure this out. Sooner rather than later, one hopes.
If not, it's Concussion City.
Matthew Poitras, undersized, crafty, elusive, and surprisingly aggressive.
I understand the comparison is premature and unfair, yet after a fashion, Matt reminds of DK #46.
He may - may - develop the rare talent & invaluable skill of controlling a game by slowing it down. Letting it come to him.
I make no predictions.
But, conceivably, I see a serviceable to very good player on the horizon.
Maybe even special.
Down goes Brown.
