Is it Time for the Penguins to Promote Sam Poulin?

In many ways, Reilly Smith’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for our Penguins. Not only does Smith’s absence rob the black-and-gold of a skilled if slumping forward, it upsets the delicate balance among our lines that coach Mike Sullivan and his staff worked so hard to achieve.

However, as the old saying goes, one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.

Who will Sullivan plug into the breach?

The logical answer is Radim Zohorna, who’s currently on the roster as a ready-made replacement. However, since starting his season on a comparative hot streak with three goals and five points in his first nine games, “Big Z’s” been colder than a North Atlantic mackerel with only two points (1+1) in his past 20 games. Worse yet, the hulking 6’6” Czechian has been playing a small man’s game in a big man’s body. In the process nullifying many of the positives he could potentially bring to the mix.

Zohorna might do in a pinch. But I no longer view him as a long-term option.

With four assists in his past seven games, hustling Jansen Harkins has played really well of late while skating on the fourth line. In addition to providing an abundance of speed and energy, he’s made some really pretty passes, reinforcing a conversation I had the other day with fellow Pooper Caleb DiNatale. Caleb dug into Harkins’ background and discovered the Cleveland native’s traditionally been more accomplished at setting up goals than he is at scoring.

Would the uptick in Harkins’ play continue with a promotion to the third line? It didn’t earlier in the season when he struggled in an elevated role, earning him a ticket to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Speaking of Northeastern PA, could the answer to our present personnel predicament be plying his trade with the Baby Pens?

No, I’m not talking about Vinnie Hinostroza, the peppery little speedster who for some reason didn’t gain any traction with the big club. Or Alex Nylander, hot of late with a team-leading 12 goals.

Been there, done that.

Rather, I’m referring to Sam Poulin.

Following a lost season in 2022-23, when Poulin took an extended leave of absence for personal reasons, the former 21^st overall pick appears to at long last be hitting his stride at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 15 games for the Baby Pens, the 22-year-old forward’s tallied six goals and nine points, including goals in back-to-back games. Which projects to roughly 30 goals and 45 points over a full AHL season.

In addition to scoring potential, the husky 6’1” 208-pounder brings a lot to the table, including the aforementioned size and strength that enable him to flourish in tight quarters and the versatility to play all three forward positions.

The lone drawback? Skating. There are those who question whether Sam possesses the foot speed to be effective at Sullivan’s puck retrieval game, especially on the wing. If he’s to make it in the NHL it’s projected to be at center, where the Pens don’t have an opening. However, if you plug Sam in at fourth-line center and shift Noel Acciari to right wing, where the latter’s body banging game may flourish, you could bump Harkins to third line left wing as previously mentioned. Or give Sam first crack at replacing Smith.

Either way, it could finally be Poulin’s time to establish himself at the big-league level.

The Cutter(ing) Edge

While we’re discussing power forwards, former Philly and now Anaheim prospect Cutter Gauthier (love the name) caused a huge ruckus earlier in the week by essentially forcing the Flyers to trade him to the Ducks for puck-moving defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick.

Buried in all the subterfuge? The fact that the Pens were Gauthier’s favorite team as a kid.

Might the 6’2” 189-pound native of Sweden one day sport the skating Penguin logo?

Caleb has some thoughts and insights he might be willing to share in the near future.