Sam Poulin New Summer Workout: ‘I Wish It Will be Enough’ (PHN+)

It was a bit of serendipity or just that the Pittsburgh Penguins equipment managers assigned Sam Poulin a locker stall next to his lifelong friend Nathan Legare. Poulin, with his Penguins hat on backward and riding high on his head, had a look befitting an 18-year-old much more than a seasoned veteran. He is no longer Samuel, as he was announced on draft day. Now it’s just Sam.

Poulin was Penguins top draft pick in June and the Penguins made a draft-table trade to acquire a third-round pick and Legare. The pair were having a good chat as Pittsburgh Hockey Now interrupted to ask Poulin about his game and his summer routine.

The NHL game is faster than it was just a few years ago and it is certainly much quicker than the QMJHL competition which Poulin rose above to become the Penguins first-round choice. In years past, every scouting report noted a young player had to get stronger. Now, it seems most reports now insist a player must improve his skating. That fact wasn’t lost on Poulin.

“My feet for sure,” Poulin told PHN.