The pipeline that was supposed to supply the subsequent prime Bruins’ heart has barely produced a trickle within the final decade.
Tyler Seguin was dealt away in a nonetheless controversial commerce. Ryan Spooner by no means took the subsequent step. Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson returned residence to Sweden and hasn’t performed since 2021. It’s nonetheless anybody’s guess what Jack Studnicka will probably be, however the B’s determined it was time to maneuver on.
Could Matt Poitras and Brett Harrison be those to lastly reopen the B’s centerman spigot? There’s no query they want some infusion of proficient youth on the pivot place. Whether or not Patrice Bergeron and/or David Krejci retire this summer season, the top of the road is in sight.
To assume both Poitras or Harrison might or ought to contribute to the 2023-24 Boston Bruins would appear a stretch. But in the event that they proceed on their promising paths they set for themselves within the Ontario Hockey League, then they might not be too far-off, given the chance that ought to nonetheless be there for them in a yr’s time.
While Harrison, a 2021 third-round choose (eighty fifth total) is a yr older, Poitras, 19, is barely forward of him on the buzz-o-meter, each from his wonderful yr in Guelph and what he’s been in a position to present at this week’s Development Camp. After his first OHL season by which had 21-29-50 totals in 68 video games, the right-shot Poitras flashed his pure setup man tendencies in practically doubling his first-year output with 16-79-95 in 63 video games.
Because of his age, he’ll have to return to junior if he doesn’t make the NHL roster. But Poitras, the B’s second-round choose in 2022 (54th total), has jumped into the highest tier of B’s prospects.
“He’s a smart hockey player. An elite brain,” mentioned assistant GM-Player Personnel Jamie Langenbrunner. “His skating got knocked a lot going into the draft, which knocked him down. But we saw a brain with growth potential. We saw that step last year with his production that, on a lower team was extremely high end. You’ve seen snippets all year, every day, his ability to play in space, his ability to create space, his elusiveness. He buys time for himself. He has that knack where he can look guys off and find lanes. The next step we’re try to push on him is similar to Fabian (Lysell) — shoot the puck a little bit more. He can shoot the puck, but he’s definitely a pass-first guy. If he can tilt that just a little bit that other way, it will give him a little bit of a leg up moving forward. But we’re very happy with that player.”
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Poitras conceded he must search for his shot a bit bit – and he’s proven that he’s acquired a great one this week — however there was additionally the sensation that he was a bit bit snake-bitten in his goalscoring makes an attempt as nicely.
Poitras additionally acquired a style of what’s anticipated of him on the subsequent degree after being on the ice with Bergeron in coaching camp final yr.
“Just being at camp last year, just practicing with him and seeing how he never quits on a drill. He’s got the strongest stick. I was coming up the ice and he just lifted my stick. I thought my stick was going to fly out of my hands,” mentioned Poitras with a chuckle. “Just things like that and watching the Bruins a lot more this year more after being drafted by them, just seeing the way he moves around the D-zone, it seems like he’s never in a rush to do anything. He’s just calm, so maybe that’s something I need in my game — just a sense of calmness in the D-zone, not running around too much.”
Harrison is a distinct sort of participant. At 6-foot-3, 184 kilos, the left-shooting Harrison doesn’t should be informed twice to shoot the puck. Between Oshawa and Windsor final season, he had 34-35-69 totals in 57 video games.
Langenbrunner mentioned he expects Harrison will begin on the wing in Providence primarily as a result of it could afford him the most effective probability to play up within the lineup, however suspects he’ll get time at each heart and wing.
“Offensively, lots to like. He’s going to need to continue to work on some of the off-ice stuff to improve his strength and really dial that in,” mentioned Langenbrunner. “His shot is a weapon. He can score from a lot of places. And similar to Matty, he’s got a knack for finding spaces. He has the ability to get himself open and he has some slipperiness to him.”
As you’d anticipate – and hope – neither participant is ruling himself out for giant league work this yr.
“Obviously it’s a dream of mine to play in the NHL and you see some opportunities maybe opening up,” mentioned Poitras. “But I’m just going to keep working hard for the camp, be ready and in shape, try to give my all and try to make their decision difficult to cut me.”
Harrison seems on the uncertainty surrounding Bergeron and Krejci and sees alternative.
“It definitely motivates me,” mentioned Harrison. “Obviously around Boston, it’s still up in the air with those guys, so there’s spots open and I’m trying to battle, work my way up. I’m hoping to start the year in Providence and just keep working my way up. If I can get a couple of games in Boston, that’s definitely one of the things on my mind. I’m not satisfied just playing in Providence this year. I’m definitely pushing to get on the big club.”
After carrying a pink non-contact jersey the earlier two days in Development Camp, Lysell was a full participant in Thursday’s session.
Source: www.bostonherald.com