I was leading the charge since day 3 of training camp saying Poitras should be a Bruin. I pushed for him daily. Recently(watch his bodily language ,head shakes) he hasn’t been the same. Hard to admit I didn’t see this coming. Let the kid get his confidence back and come back to Boston ready to go.
Player Discussion Matthew Poitras II
- Thread starter Gee Wally
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WJC is a huge deal. Look at how many guys on the roster have played in it. Some have played in just the WC or an Olympics. Of all the guys on the active roster, only 3 haven't represented their country.
KrejciMVP
Registered User
they burned an entry level year which the bruins would take back now. there are no shortcuts developing a center. They probably think hes hit the rookie wall and this tournament is way to gain confidence
Sheppy
NeelyDan eats corn the long way
BruinDust
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- Aug 2, 2005
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Well in 2015, he wasn't even on the main roster when he went to the WJC, he was still in Providence.
In 2016 he got hurt near the end of October with a broken foot and was off-ice for 7 weeks, went to the AHL for some conditioning, and rolled into the WJC before returning to Boston after the tournament. If not for the broken foot, highly unlikely Pasta plays in that year's WJC.
Inadequate back-up goaltending sunk those 2015 and 2016 Bruins teams. Not missing a 18-19 year old David Pastrnak for a few games.
The 4 greatest Bruin forwards of this era (Pasta, Krejci, Bergeron, Marchand) all played important roles at the WJC post-draft and it never hurt their development. At all.
If there is one downside, it's going from playing a very structured style of pro hockey to the more run and gun, wild west style that is predominant at the WJC (which helps make it so highly entertaining). It can be an adjustment both ways. But that is a short-term downside.
Overall, I don't see what there is to be upset about here. Confidence is half the battle in life and pro sports and anything that can help a players overall confidence about their game should be a positive. He'll get a chance to be a leader of a group of young men being the only NHLer there.
If Bruins management felt the difference between losing and winning NHL hockey games right now was the presence of Matt Poitras in the line-up, he wouldn't be going.
Hope everyone has a great week leading up to the big Xmas weekend!
Bruinfanatic
Registered User
Looking forward to watching him love the World Junior tournament,and always better when I have a Bruin to cheer for.
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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I don't see any down side. He's hit a wall here. He'll get to play a more prominent role, get the benefit of input and guidance from other elite coaches, and probably come back to the Bruins with more confidence and boost to his spirits.
Last edited:
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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He’s constantly targeted in the NHL by players twice his size and age. He plays smart and has avoided injuries but I’d argue the chance of injury is way higher in the NHL than a U20 tournament.
Works almost like a psuedo-send down, even though it’s either the NHL or OHL for him. Think its the perfect timing for him like you said to get a mental “break”. Will be really fun to see how he compares to players his age after a few months in the pros.
Not a fan of this move, I don't trust Team Canada's coaches to use him properly. I hope Sweeney got some assurances that he will play a top role for Canada.
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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He’s got Bergeron’s maturity- what good fortune getting him.
LSCII
Cup driven
Wait, people are really mad the team is giving this kid a breather and letting him play in a jr tourney instead of flat out benching him? What a weird and odd response. Have you seen him play the last month and a half? He hit the wall. He’s been wildly inconsistent to flat out bad. Giving him a blow and taking the pressure off him at the pro level while still having him log minutes is a great thing.
No Australian with any sense would pass up an opportunity to represent their country at a high level. It's deeply ingrained in our sporting psyche. Canadians are the same. This is a big deal for Poitras. Good on him, no issue with the Bruins for allowing him to go. Hopefully he enjoys it and does well. Sure there is risk, but he's more likely to get injured in the NHL than against his age-level peers.
For Boston, this may be an opportunity for others to step up and take on some extra responsibility. We've already seen Geekie do well in the middle, Frederic's had some time at pivot too. More chance for Steen to cement his spot. So really I'm seeing very little downside.
Good luck kid!
For Boston, this may be an opportunity for others to step up and take on some extra responsibility. We've already seen Geekie do well in the middle, Frederic's had some time at pivot too. More chance for Steen to cement his spot. So really I'm seeing very little downside.
Good luck kid!
quietbruinfan
Salt and light
He isn't playing well, and, as someone mentioned, he is playing about half the time. It might benefit him to play with other high skill players. (I hope it encourages him to move the puck more quickly and more often.)
Very well said. I agree there is no down side here. I hope he plays well and the coaching staff leans on him to play on the PP and the PK. It will give him a chance to improve his offensive game and gain some confidence.
cat400
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- Jul 30, 2005
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This looks like a demotion to Junior A with a bonus (WJC).
As good as Poitras has looked, the physical play in the NHL is only going to increase and then magnify in the playoffs. Seeing him get hammered into the boards last game sent shivers through my body.
For Matt's well being and NHL career, a return to the OHL maybe best for Matt in the short term and the Bruins in the long term.
As good as Poitras has looked, the physical play in the NHL is only going to increase and then magnify in the playoffs. Seeing him get hammered into the boards last game sent shivers through my body.
For Matt's well being and NHL career, a return to the OHL maybe best for Matt in the short term and the Bruins in the long term.
sweeney has already said he's coming back to boston after
There is definetly a potential downside here, what if he dosen't figure prominently in Team Canada's plans and he plays on either the 3rd or 4th line.
There is definitely a potential downside or two here, what if he dosen't figure prominently in Team Canada's plans and plays on one of the bottom 2 lines. Plenty of politics on Team Canada, always has been. There is also the possibility that he might not play well, that would shred his confidence, it's one thing to struggle as a 19 year old playing against NHLers, but against kids your own age. I just hope that Sweeney got some assurances that Poitras will be relied on heavily.
A1LeafNation
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Hopefully Sweeny has had convos with Team Canada is only letting him go based on using him properly.
Otherwise why let him go.
Smitty93
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- Dec 6, 2012
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So a few thoughts:
I love the WJC, but I don't think this is particularly valuable for Poitras. He's been playing (albeit sparingly) against men, and now he's going to play against a bunch of 19 year olds. Not exactly development heaven. It basically serves as a way to give Sweeney some time. Goes to the world juniors, then give him an AHL conditioning stint, and that gives you some time to make a decision on whether to send him back to the OHL.
From a $ perspective, I'm assuming he's not paid his NHL salary while he's away, so he's missing out on a pretty nice chunk of change ($75k+ by my calculation). I know these guys talk about the kind of dream it is to play in the WJC, but that's still below their dream of the NHL.
Lastly, if I'm Sweeney, the only way I do this is if I've received some guarantees that Poitras is getting top minutes (top line, top specials teams, etc.). Most of the value in this is building confidence. We don't need a Lysell situation.
I love the WJC, but I don't think this is particularly valuable for Poitras. He's been playing (albeit sparingly) against men, and now he's going to play against a bunch of 19 year olds. Not exactly development heaven. It basically serves as a way to give Sweeney some time. Goes to the world juniors, then give him an AHL conditioning stint, and that gives you some time to make a decision on whether to send him back to the OHL.
From a $ perspective, I'm assuming he's not paid his NHL salary while he's away, so he's missing out on a pretty nice chunk of change ($75k+ by my calculation). I know these guys talk about the kind of dream it is to play in the WJC, but that's still below their dream of the NHL.
Lastly, if I'm Sweeney, the only way I do this is if I've received some guarantees that Poitras is getting top minutes (top line, top specials teams, etc.). Most of the value in this is building confidence. We don't need a Lysell situation.
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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I was there I sit at ice level and had a great view of him getting squashed - but he’s able to make plays and his skillset/decision-making are already in the top half of current NHL players
I think they are managing him perfectly with time off in Boston
Next year he will be that farther along
3-4 years he’s Marc Savard like
The center group is set up so well right now
Zacha Coyle Geekie and Beecher are all 6’3 and Frederic is a center by trade
Allows them to nurture Poitras and develop slower as his body matures
It’s great to me how they are doing this
Eichel, Hertl, Lindholm ? I’ve been pushing for all these guys but I’m good with it
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