Penguins Prospect Gets Fresh Start in NHL
After 16 months, the Pittsburgh Penguins are likely to see their top prospect return to the NHL lineup.
PITTSBURGH – With 12 games remaining in the Pittsburgh Penguins 2023-24 season, the planets have finally aligned for top prospect Sam Poulin to return to the NHL. After over a year of working on his game, consistency, and mental health, Poulin is excited for a new crack with the Penguins.
In October 2022, Poulin played three games with the Penguins and scored his first NHL point in his debut contest. Since then, he has been one of the best players with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
In 36 games at the AHL level this year, Poulin has scored 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points. Poulin says he’s excited for his opportunity and proud that his journey has led him back to the NHL.
“I’m just so excited to be here,” Poulin said. “I’ve come a long way to get here. It’s nice to know that my efforts won’t be for nothing.”
Poulin missed a good chunk of the 2022-23 season, taking a personal leave to work on his mental health. He returned to the organization with a much better mindset and seemingly never loses his smile.
If Poulin slots into the Penguins lineup, he hopes to build off what he’s learned about himself on and off the ice over the last year.
“In the last year, I kinda learned who I was as a person, so I'll just bring what I usually bring,” Poulin said. “The goal is to win. My goal is to help the team win."
Poulin isn’t the only one who recognizes how crucial it is for him to enjoy playing hockey again. Sidney Crosby says that Poulin’s mental health is the most important aspect.
"Just that he’s playing and enjoying it, back to doing what he loves, I think that’s the most important thing,” Crosby said. “The fact that he’s been called up is just a product of that. I think the main thing is just that he’s happy.”
Head coach Mike Sullivan also praised Poulin for working his way back to a good headspace and earning his way to the NHL roster.
"Sam deserves a lot of credit for everything he's gone through,” Sullivan said. “Just his persistence and perseverance in trying to continue to grow and develop as a player and a person. He’s been through a lot over the last couple of years.”
It’s been a long road for Poulin, and everyone is hopeful this stint in the NHL can last longer than the three games his first one lasted. He deserves this chance and should be a difference-maker for the Penguins in the near future.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
- Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins
