Samuel Poulin

March 2024 – Poulin has begun to have the rebound that I had hoped coming into this season. Plagued in the past by injuries, and mental health time off, Poulin has stayed healthy and benefited from it. Poulin this season looks a lot more confident on the ice. Using his hockey IQ and physical frame to get himself into scoring areas. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has struggled to maintain consistent offensive production this season but Poulin has been a driver of the team when they do. After the recent trades made by the Penguins, Poulin should hopefully get a look at a call-up before the season is done. He remains one of the top forwards in the Penguins system with a bright future. Tyler Ball

June 2023 – Poulin had another turbulent season in his development during 2022-23. After starting the year off strong in October, Poulin was called up and had a point in his first NHL appearance against the Calgary Flames. Poulin was sent back down to Wilkes-Barre after a three-game stint with the big club where he struggled to find consistency. Poulin is an all-around forward whose game is geared toward playmaking. In early December, Poulin made the decision to step away from the team to focus on his mental health. After a three-month hiatus, Poulin returned for the final couple of games of the year. He thanked the Penguins organization for their support during his absence and seems ready to get back to progressing his career. If Poulin returns to form, look for him to be a top player in Wilkes-Barre who earns the occasional call-up to the NHL. Tyler Ball

May 2022 – Poulin’s first season of professional hockey was an up-and-down one. He began with just seven points in his first 23 games, resulting in him getting scratched for a game in January. However, he responded to getting sat by scoring 12 goals and 28 points for a much better second half. He has since cooled off but finished second in team scoring – and ended as the team’s first-line centre. Expect him to make noise at camp in the incoming months. Kyle Watson

August 2021 – Poulin was a dominant force on a stacked Val d’Or team in his final year of major junior. The Foreurs swept their first three series only to fall to the Victoriaville Tigers in six games in the finals. His production decreased slightly from last year, but that can be attributed to becoming one of many superstar players after being easily the best player in Sherbrooke. Make no mistake, Poulin made the QMJHL look easy this season and is clearly ready for the pro game. He was consistently bodying defenders and making high-end plays and really turned it on in the playoffs. He should get a long look at Pittsburgh’s roster this year. Kyle Watson

January 2021 -Poulin has been traded to the Val D’or Foreurs. He will play alongside childhood friend and fellow Penguins prospect Nathan Legare, who was also recently traded there. The Foreurs have been loading up with talent lately, also adding Jordan Spence and Jakob Pelletier, who both played for Team Canada at the World Juniors. Kyle Watson

January 2021 – The Penguins crown jewel prospect has been assigned to the QMJHL for his final season in Sherbrooke. Kyle Watson

December 2020 – On one of the best Canadian teams in World Juniors history, Poulin was one of the final cuts. With the QMJHL season set to restart on January 21st, he will return to Sherbrooke to captain the Phoenix. He will need to lead the way for his team, who have yet to record a win in five games so far this season, despite beginning the season first in the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Kyle Watson

July 2020 – After being invited to the Penguins training camp, Poulin was one of few players who did not make the postseason roster. Clare McManus

June 2020 – The Penguins have recalled Poulin to their return to play roster and to participate in Phase two practices. This should be a great opportunity for him to prove he can make the Penguins roster full-time next season. Clare McManus

April 2020- Poulin was on the verge of his best season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix before the cancellation of the season. Poulin was third on his team and 14th in the entire QMJHL in points. He scored 32 goals and added 45 assists for 77 points in 46 games, averaging around 1.67 points per game and a total shot percentage of 12.2%. Poulin is the gem of the Penguins’ young guns and prospects. He will definitely be making a push for a role in the NHL next year. Clare McManus

February 2020 – The youngster is doing nothing to make the Penguins regret taking him 21st overall in the 2019 draft. After 36 games for the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Poulin has 29 goals (tied for eighth in the league) and 33 assists, easily his best pace in three QMJHL seasons. Mark Allan

November 2019 – The husky winger continues to make his 21st-overall selection in this year’s draft look good. After 21 QMJHL outings for Sherbrooke, Poulin is tied for sixth in league points with 37 points. His 16 goals are also tied for sixth, his 10 PP assists are tied for third and his plus-22 is tied for third in the league. His determination was exemplified with a spectacular goal in a 6-1 win over Cape Breton. Tripped as he drove to the net, Poulin corralled the puck while flat on his stomach and backhanded it past his feet into the net. Mark Allan

September 2019 – Poulin signed a three-year, entry-level deal ($925,000 AAV), then was returned with fellow 2019 Pittsburgh draftee Nathan Légaré to their QMJHL teams in the second wave of cuts from training camp. The Penguins chose the 18-year-old Poulin 21st overall in this year’s draft. He’s got a good shot at eventually following his father Patrick into the NHL. Mark Allan

June 2019 – Backing up comments indicating that the Penguins need more grit, GM Jim Rutherford landed a player who’s been compared to his maximum-effort father (former NHLer Patrick), as well as Dustin Brown. Already possessing a man’s physique, Samuel improved his numbers across the board (29 goals, 47 assists, 46 PIMs and 67 games) in his sophomore QMJHL campaign. As you would expect from a power forward, the younger Poulin is strong on the puck, drives to the net and forechecks like he means it. He works hard to get open for scoring chances, which he converts with a variety of shots, including a strong and accurate wrist shot. Compared to his rookie schedule with Sherbrooke, the native of Laval, Que., ratcheted up his compete level and added some speed. His skating still needs improvement, especially mobility and acceleration from his uneven first few steps.

Expect Poulin to play at least one more junior season as he works on his skating. How he does in this area will determine when and if he follows his dad into the NHL. Considering his obvious desire and work ethic, he’s a good bet to make it. Mark Allan