Just a quickie bulletin.
In the wake of the latest injury to hard-scrabble (and hard-luck) forward Noel Acciari, the Penguins have recalled former first-round pick Sam Poulin.
Finally.
Amid a season pock-marked by his own stints on IR, the 6’1″ 208-power forward has been a force when healthy, to the tune of 13 goals and 27 points in 36 games for the Baby Pens. Although a left shot, Poulin’s versatile and can play either wing or center.
This won’t be the 23-year-old’s first taste of the bigs. Sam skated in three games with the Pens early last season and tallied an assist while averaging a shade under 10 minutes of ice time.
Echoing sentiments expressed by Gretz over on Pensburgh, let’s hope coach Mike Sullivan eschews his usual treatment of kids and lets Sam play.
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Rick
Finally. Keeping my fingers crossed that Sullivan isn't completely in control of those decisions and
is being told by the higher ups that our younger players need to see ice time.
I agree 100 percent, Mike.
Sooner or later you have to see what Poulin's got. This team isn't going anywhere...now or in the forseeable future. There's no reason not to tolerate his mistakes and allow him to learn on the job.
Switching tracks, I saw a heat chart on Pittsburgh Hockey Now the other day that showed the Pens are totally lacking in front of both nets. You and Other Rick correctly identified that shortcoming way back in preseason...I specifically remember your comment regarding that issue.
Going forward, we've got to turn back the clock to the early 2000s and draft guys who not only can play, but play with a competitive edge. I've had my fill of polite, gentlemanly hockey.
I still remember Ray Shero's first priority was to make us harder to play against. Enter Jarkko Ruutu...and a little ways down the road Gary Roberts and Georges Laraque.
I realize the game's changed to a degree and players of that ilk are more rare. But we desperately need guys who play with more jam at both ends of the ice. Dubas and his staff need to find 'em.
Rick
Rick
I agree, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Sullivan has limited input as to the roster going
forward. Also, and I'm not sure how Dubas pulls it off but Malkin and Letang need to move on
with their life's work. With 12million we could grab 2 or 3 really good hockey players. This is why
I won't criticize Dubas for moving Guentzel - I was just happy he had the backbone to make the
move and not be forced to go down the sentimental road again "Malkin & Letang" We'll no pretty
quick in June and July if Dubas has figured out the problems facing this team. The draft and Free
Agency will be telling.