Penguins Update: How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm (Part Deux)?

Judging by the production (or lack of) from some of our marquee prospects, quite easily it seems. (Hey, when a theme works for me I stick with it.)

I’m referring specifically to forwards Samuel Poulin and Nathan Legare, both currently toiling for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in varying capacities.

Once upon a time the pair were arguably the hottest commodities in the Penguins’ prospect pipeline. After piling up 76 points in 67 games with Sherbrooke as an 18-year-old, the Pens snagged Poulin with the 21^st pick in the 2019 Entry Draft. GM Jim Rutherford then traded up to nab boyhood pal Nathan Legare two rounds later with the 74^th overall pick. The Montreal native actually outdid his more heralded chum to the tune of 45 goals and 87 points.

I can’t tell you how excited I was at the time. The Penguins rarely venture into the power forward market, and here they were grabbing two. My excitement only heightened when Legare struck for a pair of blitzkrieg goals within a 23-second span during an exhibition game against Columbus on September 20, 2019. I thought we’d found a sure-fire replacement for Patric Hornqvist.

I couldn’t wait for the pair to arrive in the ‘Burgh. Especially after the dynamic duo tore up the 2021 postseason for Val d’Or of the Quebec League to the tune of a combined 25 goals in 15 games.

Except for a brief three-game cameo by Poulin earlier this season, I’m still waiting…

A quick glance at their statistics with the Baby Pens this season is both telling…and troubling. In five games Poulin has one goal (he is a plus-two). Legare? In 13 games he likewise has a lone goal. This from a kid who possesses an absolute bomb of a shot, not to mention a lightning release.

So what’s gone wrong? Following a disappointing rookie pro season with the Baby Pens that produced far more healthy scratches (18) than goals (seven), Legare admitted he had some growing to do.

“Every day, it’s a grind,” he said. “Every practice, you work for a spot in the lineup. Sometimes (at the junior level), when you’re (an NHL) draft pick, sometimes you take a day off or whatever, you’re a little bit soft on the ice. Here, especially with this type of organization — with (captain Sidney) Crosby leading the way — you’ve just got to be there every morning 100%. You’ve just got to work hard.”

Off to a similarly cold start, Poulin had difficulty keeping up with the speed of the pro game until Baby Pens coach J.D. Forrest shifted him from wing to center. Like flipping a light switch, the 6’2” 214-pounder found his footing, notching a respectable 12 goals and 28 points in 49 games for a low-scoring team.

Poulin was perhaps the most impressive of the kids in training camp this fall, appearing more confident and asserting himself physically in a way he hadn’t previously. Leading to his early season call-up, which produced an assist (and a minus-two) in three games.

Legare, too, drew raves for his chippy, aggressive play throughout camp and the preseason.

“I loved his demeanor in the (rookie tournament) game at Buffalo,” Pens director of player development Tom Kostopoulos said. “Just his body language and effort and attitude showed how much he wants to take the next step.”

Back to my original point. I wonder how two players who were so prolific in junior and have such obvious offensive pedigree could be so inoffensive at the pro level.

Could it be the system? Poulin and Legare? The way they’re being deployed? All of the above? None of the above?

Most likely a combination.

I’m not privy to the type of game Forrest preaches, although I’ve got to think it’s the same aggressive, forechecking style stressed by Mike Sullivan. If that’s the case, there seems to be a disconnect of sorts…the Baby Pens have been among the lower scoring teams in the AHL since he took over as the head coach in September 2020.

Nor are Poulin and Legare the only hot prospects to struggle. Forwards Lukas Svejkovsky (a 76-point scorer in junior) and Raivis Ansons have yet to light the lamp as pros. Each has been a frequent healthy scratch.

As my esteemed colleague Other Rick noted on several occasions, promising goalie Filip Lindberg is serving as a backup to 33-year-old journeyman Dustin Tokarski. Logic dictates it should be the other way around.

While developing young talent is hardly an exact science, it begs the question. Are organizational priorities in order when it comes to developing the kids?

I read on another site that the Pens take potential scorers and turn them into muckers. That seems to be the case, especially with Poulin and Legare.