PROVIDENCE -- Frank Vatrano was kept off the score sheet in his final AHL playoff game last weekend, and the Providence Bruins ended up losing the game and the series to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

It’s not to say that the P-Bruins lost because of Vatrano, but it’s to underscore just how key the 22-year-old scoring machine was to Providence's success throughout the season. His lack of production Saturday wasn’t for lack of trying, as Vatrano finished with a game-high 12 shots on net goal in Saturday's double-overtime loss. He had a number of prime scoring chances in the third period and overtime due to his skating speed, tenacity and hockey smarts.

So after the parent Bruins failed to make the playoffs, the farm-team P-Bruins were swept in three games in the first round. Vatrano plans to use both as motivation.

“The feeling I have right now is one I don’t want to relive next year,” said Vatrano, who made major gains last summer in dropping 20 pounds and getting in the best shape of his life per the request of the Bruins. “I want to go all the way next season, and that’s what my goal is every year going into the summer. It’s not how it went this year in Boston or in Providence, but there’s always next year. I’m going to come back even harder.”

Bruins fans flashes of what Vatrano can do at the NHL level this season; he had 8 goals and 11 points in 39 games. In the AHL it was an entirely different story: 36 goals and 55 points in 36 games with Providence.

His first pro season was a bit of a whirlwind, but now that it’s over Vatrano can’t wait to do it again.

“I was excited [to go to Providence]," he said. "It’s a little bit of a different role for me here. I’m a guy that’s depended on to produce, and to be effective. That’s what I tried to do.

"I just want to be a guy that’s a game-changer, and I thought I did a pretty good job of that this year. All of the guys I played with this year were great guys on and off the ice, so it was a lot of fun going to work every day with them. I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if it wasn’t for those guys.”

It will be an interesting offseason for both Vatrano and the Bruins. He should be in line for a spot on the NHL roster next season, aiming to realize his goal-scoring potential at the highest level. To do so, Vatrano needs to make sure he maintains the laudable work he did last summer. There’s also the chance other NHL teams will come calling for the winger in trade discussions as the Bruins try to swing a move for a young, top-pairing defenseman. One would expect that somebody like Vatrano, Ryan Spooner or David Pastrnak might be on the move if the Bruins are going to secure one of the young, talented blueliners they had their eyes on at the trade deadline.

But it would be a mistake for the Black and Gold to deal away a talent like Vatrano -- who has an NHL shot and release, solid skating skills, and a good feistiness level for a player who will never be the biggest guy on the ice -- until they’ve given him a long look on the power play, and in a top-6 role with a playmaking center. They need to see just how close he can get to the scoring machine he turned into in the American Hockey League this season.

The mere fact Vatrano led the AHL with 36 goals scored while playing just 36 regular-season games in Providence is absurd on every level. And it's a skill the Bruins absolutely covet.