I confess, I was at least somewhat surprised to learn the Penguins have signed forward Sam Poulin to a two-year extension with an AAV of $775K.
Not that 23-year-old native of Blainville, Quebec, didn’t merit an extended look. After stepping away from the game for most of the 2022-23 season to deal with personal issues, the former first-round pick and RFA-to-be enjoyed a strong season with the Baby Pens, tallying 16 goals and 31 points in 41 games to go with a sterling 18.4 shooting percentage.
It’s just that the husky 208-pounder doesn’t appear to be a favorite of coach Mike Sullivan. During a three-game cameo in late March, Poulin received the “Sully treatment,” with his ice time shrinking from 9:11 to 9:01 to a microscopic 5:10 in his final game in the bigs.
Based on my own very brief impression? Skating may be an issue for Sam, which would explain at least in part why he didn’t receive more ice time. We know how much Sully covets speed.
Too, the Pens were scrapping for their playoff lives. Not exactly an ideal situation for developing kids.
Still, it’s encouraging that GM/POHO Kyle Dubas is willing to give Sam a longer look.
Although it may be a stretch, I’m still hoping Poulin will develop into an effective middle-six power forward at the big-league level.
The Pens also signed goalie Filip Larsson to a two-year, two-way deal, also worth $775K per season. A sixth-round pick of the Red Wings in 2016, the 25-year-old Swede posted strong numbers for Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League, including a 1.93 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and a league-best five shutouts.
Might the 6’2”, 194-pounder one day backstop the Pens?
When it comes to goalies, you just never know…
Chasing the Cup
Thus far, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are more or less running true to form. Alex Ovechkin and the underdog Capitals were swept by the Rangers, while the fading Lightning were short-circuited by the up-and-coming Panthers in five games. As with other former Cup champs, the Bolts appear to be following in our Pens skate tracks.
Jake Guentzel’s Hurricanes and are up 3-1 on the Islanders. The Bruins hold a similar lead over the talented but troubled Maple Leafs, who appear to be doomed to yet another first-round el foldo while imploding in the process.
Out West, the Avs, Canucks and Oilers likewise have 3-1 leads over the Jets, Predators and Kings, respectively. The Stars and defending Cup champ Vegas are knotted up at 2-games apiece.
Can’t Hack It
A season after making it to the second round of the playoffs and pushing the Stars to a Game 7, Seattle has fired coach Dave Hakstol. Injuries and roster construction may have contributed to the Kraken’s tumble to also-ran status, along with a lack of top-end talent.
Such is the way of things for coaches in the NHL…unless you happen to work for our Pens.
Hey Rick,
Not sure what to make of Larsson. He was a 6th rnd pick of Detroit and split a season between Detroit’s ECHL affiliate and AHL affiliate with marginal success (0.910% in ECHL and 0.843 in AHL) When I got up this AM and saw this news I checked out some video of Larsson – it wasn’t that enlightening. In a game against Linkopoing he wasn’t really tested en route to a 20ish Sv SO. However, during that game and in a quick highlight real I did see 1 troubling factor, he let his feet get out from under him and sit back on his wallet, then having to scramble when shooters went after rebounds. Fortunately for Larsson, in the SHL there wasn’t anyone that could climb the ladder over a Goalie sitting on his butt.
As a side note, I noticed that Blomqvist got caught like this on one occasion in game 2 of WBS’ playoffs
So, I am not sure what to make of the Larsson signing – is he supposed to be a depth signing or do they envision him competing for a job?