Penguins forward Sam Poulin is 'just really happy to be back'

Sam Poulin was smiling.

Even with inane cliched queries by reporters about his defensive game and being a power forward, Poulin failed mightily to stifle his grin Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ optional morning skate.

Earlier in the day, he had been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Only 37 days earlier, it’s safe to assume he was not smiling as he wasn’t quite sure where he would be as the Penguins had placed him on waivers, a necessary procedure for the purpose of assigning a player with his professional service time to an AHL affiliate.

Ultimately, Poulin went unclaimed and was sent to Northeast Pennsylvania on Oct. 6. But, for 24 hours, Poulin, the Penguins’ first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in 2019, was uncertain where his professional and personal future would unfold.

“Not fun,” Poulin said. “I want to play in Pittsburgh. It was pretty stressful, for sure, to maybe know that you’re maybe going somewhere else. It wasn’t the best day I’ve had over the last couple of months. I’m just glad I stayed with this organization and I get to be with this team again.”

It doesn’t appear Poulin will suit up for the Penguins in Monday’s home contest against the Dallas Stars. He was on the ice for approximately an hour during the optional morning skate while incumbent forwards retreated to the dressing room after approximately 20 minutes. That is typically a strong indication of who is bound to play.

With veteran forwards Cody Glass (concussion) and Kevin Hayes (undisclosed) landing on injured reserve in recent days, the Penguins had a need up front, and Poulin earned the promotion through strong play with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. In 11 games, he is that team’s second-leading scorer with nine points (three goals, six assists).

“He’s been one of their very best players,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s played extremely well. He was deserving of the call-up. That is the biggest reason why he’s here.”

This has easily been the most productive start to a season for Poulin since he turned professional in 2021.

“Over the last years, I just got to know myself a lot more, and I know what I want now,” said Poulin, who has played in only six career NHL contests. “I know what kind of player I am. I just try to stay to that identity of mine. In the past, I might have gone back to (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) and tried to do a little bit too much. But I just tried to keep it simple and do my game. I think it’s working pretty well. I’ll just keep doing that.”

To date, he has been exclusively deployed on the right wing for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. In years past, he has dabbled at either center or left wing.

“They (management) just wanted me to be able to play there and be comfortable there,” Poulin said. “It’s my first time playing right wing at the pro level. The adjustment wasn’t too bad. I felt pretty good right away. It can only be a good thing for me to be able to play all three forward positions. They haven’t really said anything specific about this, but I imagine it’s just to (help) me (get) more comfortable at this position.”

Regardless of position, the base elements of Poulin’s offensive game are the same. The 23-year-old is a stout presence (6-foot-2, 227 pounds) who goes to high-traffic areas and is tough to move.

“It’s harder obviously to move a big guy like that who is heavy on his skates and strong on his stick,” said rookie Penguins defenseman Jack St. Ivany, Poulin’s teammate the previous two years with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. “It’s just a tough player to defend. With his competitive spirit and how hard he works, it’s a tough guy you don’t really want coming down on you.”

Poulin also boasts of improvement to his defensive game. During a 5-3 road win against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday, Poulin forced a turnover that allowed him to generate a short-handed goal.

Penalty kill? More like power kill, amiright?? pic.twitter.com/BGOgKZffjQ

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) November 9, 2024

“I think I’ve shown that I’m pretty reliable as well on the (defensive) side,” Poulin said. “Over the last year, I think I’ve just got my game a little bit more complete overall. I just feel much more confident and at ease at the pro level.”

Poulin is also more at ease as a human.

For approximately four months during the 2022-23 season — his second professional campaign — Poulin took a leave of absence to address his mental health.

He applauds Penguins management for aiding him during that time and throughout his tenure with the organization.

“In pro sports, you might expect people to treat you more like a business almost,” Poulin said. “But the Pittsburgh Penguins have really been good to me. They’ve treated me like a human being. I’ll be forever grateful for that because it means a lot.”

Being back with the NHL club means a lot, as well.

“Everything that I’ve gone through is behind me now,” Poulin said. “I can just focus on playing hockey and enjoying my time here and enjoying life again. Just really happy to be back to full health.”