In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected forward Sam Poulin with the 21st overall pick. Standing at 6-foot-2, Poulin has faced challenges in establishing himself as a regular NHL player. However, hailing from Quebec, he still has time to turn things around.
Looking at Poulin’s 2024-25 season, he shouldn’t be written off yet. Over 57 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he set new AHL career highs with 19 goals, 24 assists, and 43 points. His improved offensive numbers in the AHL last season are promising, and it will be intriguing to see if he can maintain this upward trajectory into the 2025-26 season.
Poulin also made an impact in the NHL with seven games played for the Penguins during the past season, contributing one assist, 10 hits, and a plus-1 rating. Across three seasons with Pittsburgh, he has totaled two assists and 18 hits. Although he has yet to find consistent scoring success at the NHL level, there is reason to believe this could change if he receives more playing time on the Penguins’ roster next year.
Overall, Poulin has demonstrated potential throughout the recent season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Depending on roster moves by the Penguins before the upcoming season, he could earn a spot on their fourth line. Regardless of what unfolds, Poulin remains a player worth watching in 2025-26.
Meanwhile, in other news, most of this year’s unrestricted free agents have found new teams, but some notable players remain available. One such player is Jan Latta, a 35-year-old defenseman formerly with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who is still searching for a new team.
Fan Take: Sam Poulin’s progress offers hope to Penguins fans eager for the next wave of talent to rise, signaling that patience may pay off. Meanwhile, the availability of seasoned players like Jan Latta highlights the ongoing shuffle in hockey that keeps the sport dynamic and unpredictable.
