TVA Report: Penguins Add First-Round Pick Poulin to ‘Black Aces’

French sports channel TVA reported on Friday the Penguins added to the “Black Aces” roster with their recall of 2019 first round pick Sam Poulin. Poulin has another year of juniors eligibility but is eligible to play for the Penguins because he signed his entry-level-contract last September.

The Penguins first-round choice (21st overall) was a dominant scorer in the QMJHL this season. Poulin was the back-to-back player of the week in January when he scored 19 points, including 10 goals in just five games.

Overall, Poulin had 77 points, including 32 goals in just 46 games. The 19-year-old left winger is 6-foot-2, 216 pounds. He showed well in the Penguins development camp last June and at the training camp last September.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now hit the film room to breakdown Poulin’s game and his NHL readiness. You may read the full scouting report and projections here.

Other known “Black Aces” or depth player added to the Penguins roster for the 24-team NHL return include forward Anthony Angello, who tweeted a photo of himself driving to Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Penguins also released video footage this week, which showed goalie Casey DeSmith on the ice for Phase 2 workouts.

The Penguins also added goalie prospect Emil Larmi to their group of players working out. Larmi detailed his travels via social media, including his issues on Wednesday, when he tweeted that he had only 57 of the necessary 62 documents to be allowed to travel from Finland to the United States. He also joked that he lacked unicorn blood and a dinosaur.

Another Quebec media report indirectly indicated goalie prospect Alex D’Orio is also at the UPMC Lemieux Complex. Still, there has not been additional corroborating evidence that D’Orio will be a part of the Black Aces.

The preliminary agreement between the NHL and NHLPA is 28 players and unlimited goalies. However, that figure must be finalized by the two parties. The “Black Aces” are the group of minor leaguers and prospects which teams keep on hand throughout the playoffs, who work out and skate among themselves so they may be ready if needed.

PHN projected Sam Poulin would have a chance to make the Penguins roster next season. Participating in Phase 2 workouts and possibly Phase 3 and Phase 4 practices will not hurt his chances.

Exclusif: L’espoir des @penguins Samuel Poulin (@poulin_sam) obtient deux excellentes nouvelles. 1) Il fera parti du groupe sélect de joueurs qui complèteront la saison avec Pittsburgh. 2) Il a reçu une invitation au camp virtuel d’Équipe Canada Jr. Entrevue à venir. @TVASports

— Louis Jean (@LouisJeanTVAS) June 12, 2020