Penguins
Breaking: Jason Zucker Injured, Sam Poulin Will Make NHL Debut
CALGARY, Alberta — It’s been since Dec. 20, 2014 that a Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick made his NHL debut with the Penguins. Then it was 2012 first-rounder Derrick Pouliot. Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome, 2019 Penguins first-rounder Sam Poulin will break the drought and make his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames.
Poulin was called up from the WBS Penguins on Sunday as GM Ron Hextall put Teddy Blueger on LTIR retroactive to Oct. 11. The resulting salary cap space allowed Hextall to recall Drake Caggiula and Poulin. Caggiula played in the disappointing 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
“He’s a good player. He’s developed good offensive instincts,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s got a strong down-low game. We’re excited to watch him play. He’s had a really strong training camp.”
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Poulin moved to center last season, though Sullivan did not say where Poulin would play on Tuesday.
Penguins winger Jason Zucker will not play Tuesday. The LW, who has battled injuries for the last two seasons, was banged up in the loss to Edmonton. He played nearly 15 minutes, but not over the final few minutes, and was in the locker room following the game.
Zucker, 30, was injured during a corner battle. He exited the game, seeming to favor his right hip.
Last season, Zucker played only 41 of the 82 games due to a core muscle injury and surgery. He had six points (1-5-6) in the first six games this season.
Sullivan also indicated Jake Guentzel, who has missed the last two games due to an ear injury suffered when he was hit by teammate Kris Letang’s shot against the LA Kings last Thursday, skated on Tuesday morning.
PHN will have full coverage of the NHL debut of Sam Poulin from the Scotiabank Saddledome and update the condition of Jason Zucker through the remainder of the Penguins’ five-game road trip through western Canada and Seattle.