The Boston Bruins are one of the best teams in the National Hockey League. Once again, they are looking like they will end the year at the top of the Atlantic Division.
With 51 games played, they are 31-10-9 for 71 standings points. After an incredibly disappointing ending to their historic 2022-23 season, they are looking to right the ship here in 2023-24.
One player who has helped them overcome the losses of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci is Matthew Poitras. The Bruins drafted him in the second round (54th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
When the preseason began, most thought that the 19-year-old was destined to play another year with the Guelph Storm of the OHL. However, he played so well with the Bruins in the preseason that he earned a job out of camp.
The Boston Bruins have a really good player in Matthew Poitras
He earned his stay after nine games and we knew his OHL days were likely over. The Bruins loaned him to Team Canada at the 2023-24 World Junior Championships but he came right back when they were eliminated.
Unfortunately, the Bruins announced on Wednesday that Poitras is going to miss five months following shoulder surgery that he received. It is a tough hit to their lineup as he won’t be with them again until next season.
Bruins Medical Update on Matthew Poitras: https://t.co/1zC2EYDBd9
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 8, 2024
They didn’t want him to risk further damage to his shoulder so they didn’t waste any time with this procedure. He has a bright future ahead of him and that is way more important than the rest of this year. He is a big part of their plans.
Poitras finishes his rookie season with five goals and ten assists for 15 points in 33 games played. He plays a responsible game and showed a ton of promise on both sides of the puck.
This isn’t news that Bruins fans wanted to hear in February but he will be better for it in the long term. With what we’ve seen from him in his rookie year, it is clear that he has a great future ahead of him.
When he returns, expect him to take a big step in his development. This is a small fork in the road but he will get through it. Hopefully, he heals well.