The Boston Bruins have recalled forward Matthew Poitras from their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
Boston’s No. 1 center Elias Lindholm suffered an upper-body injury earlier this week. While we are still waiting on further word regarding Lindholm’s status from the Bruins, this recall indicates that, at the very least, the Bruins felt the need to reinforce their center depth given the possibility that Lindholm’s injury sidelines him.
The Bruins play tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, and recalling Poitras protects the team against the potential that Lindholm won’t be available to be dressed due to his injury.
This recall puts Poitras in a position to make his 2025-26 debut for the Bruins. The 21-year-old last played in the NHL almost a full calendar year ago, in early March of 2025. The 2022 second-round pick once looked like one of Boston’s more promising young talents, flying out of the gates in his first year playing pro hockey, 2023-24. He scored 15 points in 33 games that season, but took a step back in 2024-25, clearly struggling to create offense on a consistent basis while contending with the relentless pace and physicality of the NHL.
Poitras has fared better at the AHL level. He scored 41 points in 40 games for Providence last season, but a slow start has him at only 24 points in 39 games this season. Poitras’ inability to stay in the NHL after a fast start has led to some scouts in the public sphere questioning his long-term projection. Entering the season, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman wrote Poitras “may not be dynamic enough to be a full-time top-nine forward,” despite a high compete level.
While it’s unknown exactly what kind of opportunity Poitras will receive thanks to this recall, at the very least he’ll likely get the chance to make his season debut. Regardless of what form his NHL opportunity ultimately takes, this season is a major one for Poitras to carve out a spot in Boston’s long-term plans, especially seeing as he is a pending RFA.
Poitras could be a trade option for a big name to come into Bean Town.
I still remember some B’s fans proclaiming Poitras was going to be the next Bergeron. Some fans lap up all of the team propaganda (see also: Pens fans.)
to be fair, it took Bergeron a few years to get his feet under him (concussion[s?]). But it worked out. if after another 2 or 3 years Poitras isn’t much of anything, then you’ll have a valid point. the kid is still wet behind his ears.
Bergeron was a full-time NHL pro in his rookie season (and a rookie All-Star) and was already a 30-goal scorer in his 2nd season. Poitras was a part-timer his rookie season, declined to scoring one lone goal in his 2nd season, and has toiled in mediocrity in Providence this 3rd season. He’s no Bergeron.