Penguins Prospect Sam Poulin Explodes for 8 Points

Pittsburgh Penguins first round pick Sam Poulin had a record-setting day for the Sherbrook Phoenix Sunday. The Penguins prospect exploded for eight points, which had not been done in the QMJHL for 10 years. Sherbrook beat the Shawinigan Cataractes 9-4, but the story focused on Poulin’s record day.

In addition to the first eight-point day in a decade, Poulin broke the Sherwood team record, of which he was also a coholder. Former Montreal Canadiens prospect Daniel Audette, Marek Zachar, and Poulin shared the previous history with six points. The Penguins prospect had two goals and six assists Sunday, which vaulted Poulin into the top 10 of QMJHL scoring.

Poulin is sixth in the QMJHL with 22 points in 11 games, including nine goals. He also has a plus-16 rating. The Penguins selected Poulin in the first round of the 2019 NHL draft, 21st overall.

The Penguins may have only 11 healthy forwards on Monday. Jared McCann was again out of the lineup Saturday when the Penguins 3-0 lost to the Vegas Golden Knights. It was the second time in three games McCann was out of the lineup.

Per NHL CBA rules, an NHL team may recall a juniors player on an emergency basis only if the player is at least the third emergency recall on the team. If McCann is out, the Penguins could make another emergency recall for their upcoming three-game road trip through Florida, Tampa Bay, and Dallas. Twice in the last three games, the Penguins used defenseman Juuso Riikola as a forward so that they could roll four lines.

According to Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, “we don’t want to make a habit (of putting Riikola at forward).”

Poulin was pointless in one preseason game for the Penguins, but his strong showings in training camp, the Prospects Challenge, and the Penguins rookie camp put him near the top of the Penguins prospects list.

The 6-foot-2, 216 pound forward plays a physical game but is also a playmaker. The Penguins have not announced any emergency recalls but could do so at practice Monday.

Watch the Highlights of Sam Poulin scoring eight points here.