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Player Discussion Matthew Poitras II

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Smitty93 said:
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.
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Poiteas and Lysell vastly different style, background, maturity

Bergeron a better comp

He’s likely centering Morgan Geekie’s brother

I am fascinated to see poitras who is a processing guy performs against a more Helter Skelter type of game , younger, way less physical and mature opponents.

Does he dissect them?

I’m really intrigued by this now
 
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Smitty93 said:
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.
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If nothing else it's valuable for Poitras in that he gets to tick off a dream bucket list item that any young athlete would aspire to. That's big in itself. Whether he will learn anything or get a major confidence boost, who knows, but I don't think it matters that much.

It's 3 weeks. He's already well ahead of where both he and the Bruins expected him to be in terms of his development. 3 weeks playing with other teenagers is hardly going to make much difference in the long run. So let him go and have fun. He's 19, and much as playing in the NHL is living the dream there's a different type of pride and excitement in pulling on the national jersey and playing with your direct peers. It's an opportunity that once missed you can't have back.

What the Bruins do with him afterwards we'll see, but I think that's a separate conversation that doesn't change much simply because he's going to the worlds.
 
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goldnblack said:
I'd be willing to sponsor you for citizenship. I feel like for you to really enjoy this, you need to be one of us. Come up here, have some of our food and beer, and just really experience what it's like to be one of the chosen hockey people.
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Yup. I'll be your seconder. Glad to have you Dan. Not the best beer in the world, but we have one here made in Saskatchewan that pretty darn good.
 
DKH said:
Poiteas and Lysell vastly different style, background, maturity

Bergeron a better comp

He’s likely centering Morgan Geekie’s brother

I am fascinated to see poitras who is a processing guy performs against a more Helter Skelter type of game , younger, way less physical and mature opponents.

Does he dissect them?

I’m really intrigued by this now
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Conor Geekie is a terrific player, will be fun to watch him Poitras together , think Geekie`s teammate also with TC whose a very good player too, can`t recall his name, starts with an S, think he`s a RW, guessing either Geekie or Poitras will play the LW spot? I dunno
 
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ODAAT said:
Conor Geekie is a terrific player, will be fun to watch him Poitras together , think Geekie`s teammate also with TC whose a very good player too, can`t recall his name, starts with an S, think he`s a RW, guessing either Geekie or Poitras will play the LW spot? I dunno
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Sweeney clearly wants him as a center listening to this
 
There’s no way to quantify it but I absolutely believe that guys like Poitras need reminders of what it feels like to be the best player on the ice. He grinds and grinds against guys better than him….gives him two weeks to rip it a little bit. I believe this is good for his devopment.
 
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While I can understand some folks point of view regarding the loss of a skilled player, and the potential risk of injury (those kids do LOVE to hit), I think there's a lot to be said for:

1. Management giving their "asset" an opportunity to participate in an event that I believe he really wants to... (being treated well by your "bosses" can really contribute to loyalty-building).

2. Development - While it can be argued that Poitras will be "playing down" since he will be playing with younger/non-NHL players, it's worth considering that Poitras will (presumably) be playing in a leadership role, with plenty of ice time, top line duties, PP, possibly PK, etc. Not to mention that the WJ's is a PRESSURE COOKER for Canadian athletes (good experience for Poitras). Canadian fans expect nothing less than gold every year...there's is huge media coverage... it is a very popular event. Assuming that Poitras does in fact play well, contributes significantly to team success, and (hopefully) help lead TC to a medal, I believe it would be useful part of his development, as well as his overall "self-esteem/confidence".

3. Comaraderie - I think there's something to be said for participating in something that only a select % of NHL players get the opportunity to be a part of. I'm very curious to know what someone such as Patrice Bergeron's opinion would be on this topic. My gut tells me that he would be pro- "GO!".

One other note - Someone posted a comment about Bedard not participating (basically the point as I understand it is that Bedard wouldn't waste his time because he's too good). A couple things to consider:

1. Bedard HAS played in the WJ's, and set records left and right...the guy beat Gretzky's records (although Gretzky was only 16 years old when he played...unbelievable).
2. Bedard is needed by his current NHL team a lot more than Poitras (think ticket sales, rookie stats, .... he is literally the new face of the franchise).
3. Bedard has not "hit a wall". Poitras, while still creating opportunities, still clearly needs some time to develop.

After writing this post, I'm more convinced...going to WJ's is a no-brainer. I'm excited to watch him play, and have one more reason to watch MORE hockey :-).
 
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DKH said:
Sweeney clearly wants him as a center listening to this
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that line will be terrifying. Not sure if anyone here has seen Geek`s brother play but man is the kid a terrific player, huge, brushes opponents off just by sneezing, think he was a Coyotes pick but could be wrong there, watching him and Poitras play together will be a blast
 
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bruinshoper said:
3. Comaraderie - I think there's something to be said for participating in something that only a select % of NHL players get the opportunity to be a part of. I'm very curious to know what someone such as Patrice Bergeron's opinion would be on this topic. My gut tells me that he would be pro- "GO!".
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Well, if any French speaking people can translate this, we'll know what he thinks...lol

 
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Bruinaura said:
Well, if any French speaking people can translate this, we'll know what he thinks...lol

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He said he asked the Bruins to go, said the Bruins were kind to let him go, was happy to represent Canada and LJMHQ, playing with guy he age. Added that that roster put themselves pressure of success, did not felt the pressure coming out of the locker room.

I will add, that roster was one of Team Canada top 3 team in history. That tournament allowed to see team Canada roll over EVERY one. Still remember Ovechkin trying to run Bergeron and hit a wall in the final
 
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Poitras has had his growing pains, but given the lack of depth at the center position currently (i.e., overall lack of immediately available depth and now the injury to Zacha), not sure how this news is accretive to the Bruins
 
"Booboos" :facepalm:

I dunno, Don.... most adults would say, oh I don't know...."mistakes"

Booboos. Sheesh :laugh:

 
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4ORRBRUIN said:
You must be into useless hockey tournaments Im not,

Having a pro hockey player leave his team to go play in a fun tournament is the hilariously bad take,

It will backfire mark my words
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Tell those 18 year old kids it is useless.
 
Tbaybruin said:
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.
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Don't be so hard on yourself, many fans got caught up in the Poitra, euphoria,. His training camp put the front office in a bad position, I don't know enough about the 9 game rule, but my suggestion at the time was to bring him up later in the season for those 9 games. With all said in done, the kid has NHL talent, and in time he will be a player for the Bruins. My thoughts are I have been waiting for this organization to start getting some prospects onto the roster, but this year they were forced into it, I think Loheri is in the same boat good future but the fans expectations are too high.
 
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