The Boston Bruins have called up forward Matthew Poitras from their AHL affiliate in Providence, a move that comes on the heels of Elias Lindholm’s upper-body injury earlier this week. While the team hasn’t confirmed the full extent of Lindholm’s status, this recall signals that Boston is bracing for the possibility of being without its top-line center, at least in the short term.
With the Bruins set to face off against the Flyers tonight, bringing Poitras into the fold gives head coach Jim Montgomery another option down the middle if Lindholm isn’t ready to suit up. It’s also a chance for Poitras to reintroduce himself at the NHL level-nearly a full year after his last big-league appearance.
The 21-year-old has had an up-and-down journey since bursting onto the scene in 2023-24. That rookie campaign saw him notch 15 points in 33 games, showing flashes of the offensive creativity and compete level that made him a second-round pick in 2022.
But the following season wasn’t as smooth. Poitras struggled to keep pace with the NHL’s speed and physicality, and his production took a noticeable dip.
That inconsistency ultimately landed him back in the AHL, where he’s continued to develop with Providence.
Last season, Poitras looked like a difference-maker at the AHL level, putting up 41 points in 40 games-a near point-per-game clip that kept him on the radar. But this year has been more of a grind.
Through 39 games, he’s managed just 24 points, and questions about his long-term NHL ceiling have started to surface. Some scouts have pointed to a lack of dynamic traits in his game, suggesting he might not project as a full-time top-nine forward at the NHL level, despite his high motor and willingness to battle.
Still, this recall is more than just an insurance policy-it’s an opportunity. Whether Poitras slots into a fourth-line role or gets a look higher up the lineup, this is a pivotal stretch for him. He’s a pending restricted free agent after this season, and how he performs in whatever role he’s given could go a long way in determining whether he’s part of Boston’s plans moving forward.
The Bruins are in the thick of a season where depth and adaptability are going to matter more than ever, and tonight’s game could be the start of a critical chapter in Poitras’ young career.