Player Discussion Matthew Poitras

[NDiesel]

But the rest of his game isn't actually ready. He is weak and undersized now. His line was really outplayed last night and centers are supposed to be driving possession. It will be easier for him to develop other parts of his game against his peers. Is that trade off worth it? I would keep him up with the big club. But, I don't think it's a 100% slam dunk, either.

I think there's a solid debate to be had about if a guy is better off learning the game from other NHLers and NHL coaches vs if dominating against other OHLers and learning from lower level coaches is better. I'm not so sure the OHL pathway is always better for youngsters.

Him spending time in the AHL would be a different story.

 

[JRull86]

I think there's a solid debate to be had about if a guy is better off learning the game from other NHLers and NHL coaches vs if dominating against other OHLers and learning from lower level coaches is better. I'm not so sure the OHL pathway is always better for youngsters.

I'm with you here.

Going back to OHL and dominating, most likely leading the league in scoring really serves no purpose for me.

Let him learn the pro game from an NHL level, warts and all.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

If he wears down you can IR him with a “lower body” and bring someone up and let him chill for a couple weeks. He’s too good to be playing in the O this year.

 

[Over the volcano]

But the rest of his game isn't actually ready. He is weak and undersized now. His line was really outplayed last night and centers are supposed to be driving possession. It will be easier for him to develop other parts of his game against his peers. Is that trade off worth it? I would keep him up with the big club. But, I don't think it's a 100% slam dunk, either.

Was his line really outplayed?
They were up against Kuznetsov from what I could tell.
Poitras finished +1 and was close to 60% at the dot. There was a play or two where they looked to rough him up but he fought for it and was better than 50/50 on those 50/50 pucks.

 

[Bradely]

He looks legit, but I’ve also thought Spooner and Knight were lights out picks in their pre season outings.

I really like this kid, and I wanna be right for once.

Spooner came to mind also..............

 

[NDiesel]

Spooner came to mind also..............

I wonder if that number 51 has anything to do with it

 

[GordonHowe]

Matthew Poitras’ bid to make the Bruins at 19 rings a bell with Milan Lucic

Matthew Poitras is looking to make the jump to the NHL at just 19 years. Milan Lucic knows the challenge in front of the Bruins rookie.

www.boston.com

 

[Kegs]

Spooner came to mind also..............

Spooner looked absolutely lost without the puck.

 

[Mad-Marcus]

That cutback on, I think it was, Kuznetsov was dirty. Took it straight to the net and scored on a very good shot against a once great goalie.

 

[ODAAT]

Spooner looked absolutely lost without the puck.

and didn`t display any interest in playing in his own end

 

[aguineapig72]

That cutback on, I think it was, Kuznetsov was dirty. Took it straight to the net and scored on a very good shot against a once great goalie.

Credit to his parents. The way he buys time and space on the ice it's obvious they didn't let him leave home without their American Express card.

 

[GordonHowe]

Maybe the Bruins should reward players who've actually brought consistent effort and results to their preseason auditions, rather than veterans like Geek or Brown who have done very little to prove they belong with the big club.

Beecher, imho, will begin the season in Boston. Poitras might, too. Lohrei will be next man up,

Murphy: Do Bruins Suddenly Have Internal Center Solution?

Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, even Marc Savard, aren’t walking through that door, Boston Bruins fans! However, by all accounts, 19-year-old rookie center Matt Poitras will be to start the season, and 22-year-old pivot John Beecher may be as well. While there is still a need for more...

bostonhockeynow.com

 

[DKH]

Do the Bruins also have a good time machine where he gains a year of conditioning and age while not being pounded on my NHLers?

Regular season teams usually don’t care - they won’t seek him out and he’s tough he battles and years of lacrosse contact isn’t an issue

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I'm not quite on board with the 9-game trial idea for Poitras, largely from a psychological point of view. Playing a stint in the NHL then going back to juniors would be a major bummer. If he struggles then gets sent back down, potentially even more so.

I think you either commit, or you don't. You could put him on the roster with the intention of only giving him 50-60 games, interspersed with some well-managed rest. I think that would be fine as the full 82 is clearly not realistic. But a trial doesn't sit right with me. Such a shame that the AHL option isn't available as that would be perfect.

 

[Beesfan]

I'm not quite on board with the 9-game trial idea for Poitras, largely from a psychological point of view. Playing a stint in the NHL then going back to juniors would be a major bummer. If he struggles then gets sent back down, potentially even more so.

I think you either commit, or you don't. You could put him on the roster with the intention of only giving him 50-60 games, interspersed with some well-managed rest. I think that would be fine as the full 82 is clearly not realistic. But a trial doesn't sit right with me. Such a shame that the AHL option isn't available as that would be perfect.

I half agree. If you carry Poitras into Game 1 it should be with every intent to keep him the whole season. Now if it's a disaster there is no choice to send to juniors, but the 9 games should be viewed as an escape valve not a trial period.

I do think of you keep him you should anticipate he plays every game he is healthy. A 19 year old shouldn't be in and out of the lineup

 

[ODAAT]

surely he would have been sent back to Guelph by now unless the B`s intend to give him a 9 game stretch no?

 

[Gee Wally]

surely he would have been sent back to Guelph by now unless the B`s intend to give him a 9 game stretch no?

I think the FO is at the ‘ now what the f*** we gonna do?’ Stage.

 

[SPLBRUIN]

The Bruins really need a player of his talents at center, Zacha and Coyle don't have his creativity and play making ability. They should be prepared to live with his weaknesses unless it turns out that he is completely in over his head after 9 NHL games.

 

[ODAAT]

I think the FO is at the ‘ now what the f*** we gonna do?’ Stage.

I think you are right friend, our old friend Dom was all over Poitras long before camp began, me thinks Don and Cam and many others shocked at how comfortable he has looked

 

[Dueling Banjos]

and didn`t display any interest in playing in his own end

Compete level was the prob or at least it seemed so according to Clode

 

[Bradely]

Spooner looked absolutely lost without the puck.

Not referring in any sense about Spooner game and/or number 51! I was referring to fans expectations when I said Spooner came to mind.

 

[bwunderlich]

The Bruins as a whole this preseason have been hemmed in, outworked, and badly outshot.

#51, Beecher, and Mason bring hope to a team missing . . . well missing what they bring. Let them grow into the job.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I half agree. If you carry Poitras into Game 1 it should be with every intent to keep him the whole season. Now if it's a disaster there is no choice to send to juniors, but the 9 games should be viewed as an escape valve not a trial period.

I do think of you keep him you should anticipate he plays every game he is healthy. A 19 year old shouldn't be in and out of the lineup

Yeah I get that argument. I think perhaps a young player shouldn't be rested just for the sake of it, but your threshold for an injury that will keep them off the ice will be lower. Something that a vet would just play through, you might take a more precautionary approach with a rookie. So you basic intent is that they're playing whenever available, but you manage fitness and recover that little bit differently to give that extra level of protection.

 

[Over the volcano]

I think the FO is at the ‘ now what the f*** we gonna do?’ Stage.

That was the goal all along

 

[Gee Wally]

That was the goal all along

it certainly was the Kids plan.
He said so himself.