Penguins Update: Sam Again

The Penguins made yet another personnel move ahead of tonight’s contest with the Sabres.

A week after his latest recall, forward Sam Poulin was re-assigned to the Baby Pens to make room for Ville Koivunen, who’s returning from a brief stint on IR.

I can’t help but feel badly for Sam, who played in two games and registered a shot on goal along with two hits and two blocked shots.

Yes, he was a minus-2, but he also registered solid underlying numbers across the board, including an Expected Goals for Percentage of 57.50.

It’s the latest in a string of revolving door call-ups for the former first-round pick. It seems Poulin barely has time to get acclimated to his new environs when he gets shipped out again.

No, Sam hasn’t particularly dazzled in any of his all-too-brief cameos (two assists in 15 games spread over four seasons). Nor is he the swiftest of skaters.

However, I was hoping for his sake (not to mention the team’s) the 24-year-old power forward might get an extended look under new coach Dan Muse. Say a 10-15 game stretch to once and for all prove whether he’s big-league material or a classic AAAAer.

I mean, at this stage we know what 30-somethings Kevin Hayes and Danton Heinen can (and can’t) do, right? Would it hurt to afford Sam the same opportunity?

Alas, at least for now, it wasn’t meant to be.

If that opportunity just isn’t going to come in the ‘Burgh? I’d love to see Sam get a fresh start with a new team.

Perhaps Kyle Dubas will accommodate him.