The word "could" is doing plenty of work in the title of this article, as the Boston Bruins and Matthew Poitras still haven't agreed on a contract that even allows him to take part in training camp in September. While the narrative around Poitras will reach an all-time high if he signs before training camp, it feels like we still have a long way to go before we get there.
Fans are clamoring for Poitras to finally get a full-time chance in Boston, but the front office hasn't done him any favors in that regard. In three games with the NHL team last year, Poitras actually looked good in a center-ice role in the bottom six. However, with all the depth players the Bruins signed over the past two seasons, it seems like they are willing to give players like Sean Kuraly and Michael Eyssimont all the reps again instead of giving the fans what they really want to see.
There is a good chance there will be a wide range of reactions to Poitras if he does make it to training camp. The young center will only get a couple of games to prove himself with the truncated preseason schedule, and if he plays well, fans will want to see him make the opening night roster. The problem with a Poitras roster spot is that it could steal it from another young player like James Hagens, which would only infuriate fans even more.
Matthew Poitras could be the Bruins' most polarizing player at training camp
Poitras burst onto the scene out of the 2023-24 training camp, stealing a roster spot to start the season before a loan to Canada's World Junior team started injury troubles that made him miss the remainder of the season. A rocky start to his sophomore season caused him to play just half the year in Boston, sending him down to Providence, where he recorded 41 points in 40 games.
The offense didn't come as easily this year in Providence, with just 44 points in 63 games, and the games in Boston didn't come as easily either. He played just three games with the NHL club, only because Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm suffered injuries at the same time, and the Olympic break caused him to miss out on any additional games, as they both recovered in time to start post-break.
While it is time to give Poitras a chance, it doesn't feel like Boston is the place where he is going to get it. It's tough for fans to hear, but it could explain why he hasn't agreed to terms on a contract yet.
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