Fresh off the news of lending Matthew Poitras to Team Canada for the World Juniors, Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney took a moment to reflect on the rookie's performance this season.
"The league gets tougher, and he's navigating that in the first six months," Sweeney shared with reporters. "You can talk to a player about it, but they need to live it—going on the road, facing new matchups, realizing the teams are solid and closing you off."
Highlighting Poitras's resilience, Sweeney noted,
"It's a steep learning curve, and he's handling it well. Even after a few mistakes, he maintains confidence, learns from experiences, and applies those lessons."
Being cautious with Poitras's workload amid a demanding NHL season, Sweeney emphasized monitoring fatigue indicators and assessing players' overall well-being.
While acknowledging that Poitras has been stellar, Sweeney supported Coach Jim Montgomery's decision to bench him at times, citing it as a trust-building exercise.
"Players go through ice time adjustments; it's part of the journey. It's a learning opportunity, rebounding the next night, ensuring positive communication and preserving confidence."
Poitras is temporarily with Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, returning to the Bruins post-competition on January 5.
