Bruins Make Decision On 19-Year-Old Matt Poitras

Boston Bruins fans were holding their breath, awaiting the status of rookie center Matt Poitras. The 19-year-old's nine-game trial came to a conclusion Monday night, and a decision needed to be made about whether to send him back to juniors and slide his entry-level contract another year, or keep him on the team as a full-fledged member of the Bruins. 

Beantown fans can now rejoice, as it's been confirmed that the former 2nd-round pick is now officially a full-time Bruin. 

“He’s sticking around.” — Coach Montgomery on Matt Poitras pic.twitter.com/KZEQI4Jsxt

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 31, 2023

Head coach Jim Montgomery has announced that Poitras is in town to stay.  

The youngster has certainly proved his worth in his nine games thus far, recording three goals and five points, in 15 minutes of ice time a night, as a 3rd-line center.

The pivot was an area of desperate need for the B's entering this season, with the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Now, it looks like they've got a keeper in Poitras, the former No. 54 overall pick in 2022. 

“I really like the way he responds every time he gets tested,” said Montgomery. “There was a shift (on Saturday) where his line was out there a long time. He was bent over. You could tell he was exhausted. Then, somehow, he finds the juice to create the turnover and get the puck out of the zone. We see the skill, and we see the smarts, but his will is very underrated. We’ve got a hockey player on our hands here.”

Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports