Matt Poitras Looking To Force Bruins’ Hand Entering Second Season

Matt Poitras has a simple goal entering his second season with the Boston Bruins.

"I want to be here," Poitras said Thursday, per team-provided video. "I want to be able to show that I belong here and that they don't really have a choice -- you gotta keep me here."

Poitras' status coming into camp has been uncertain before, as it was widely expected the 20-year-old would be returned to the OHL's Guelph Storm following camp in 2023. Boston had something different in mind, though, keeping him on for what would become an up-and-down rookie season.

Poitras surged early on, with the Bruins announcing after just one month that the rookie was staying on the NHL roster rather than heading back to the OHL, therefore burning a year of his entry-level contract. Poitras would then be loaned to Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, returning after a month before finding himself on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after a total of 33 games.

The Bruins are hoping to get more out of Poitras in 2024, and the sophomore forward believes he can provide it.

"I mean, yeah, there's always pressure but coming into camp this year it's a bit different," Poitras said. "The expectations were a bit different when I came in last year, I was expected to be going back to Guelph. I'm coming in, I obviously want to make the team like I did last year, but there's different expectations… I'm just going to come in and do my thing every day. I like to hold myself to a high standard. It's just about coming in every day and trying to be one of the best players on the ice, and play the way I know I can play."

The B's have filled out their lineup with a litany of centremen, meaning the most likely path to an NHL roster spot will come on the wing. Poitras played on the outside Thursday, with Trent Frederic pivoting a line with the Ajax, Ontario native and Cole Koepke -- and even appeared in a few games on the wing last season.

"It's a little bit less skating than center, so maybe I can conserve some more energy for playing offense," Poitras said. "I like holding onto pucks down low, so it could be good for that. I'll play wherever, whether its at center or winger -- wherever I fit in best.

Poitras can be optioned to Providence, so with added depth on the inside it looks more likely than not that he'll see some time in the AHL. The Bruins haven't been scared to shuffle the roster in recent seasons, though, so it really is only a matter of time before he ends up in Boston.