Pittsburgh Penguins - Samuel Poulin, RW, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)
Val-d’Or has built a bit of a super team in the Q this season and really put a jolt into the system by acquiring Poulin. In the 12 games he’s played since being traded from Sherbrooke, he has 17 points — good for 1.42 points per game. It’s a little behind the scoring pace he had last season when he really broke out for 77 in 46, but it’s still a solid clip in this weird season.
Poulin did not make Canada’s World Junior team despite being in the mix and that was a tough blow. He’s still not quite there yet to be among the elite of elite prospects, but he continues to close in. The Penguins don’t have a ton of super exciting options in the league’s shallowest prospect pool, but Poulin looks like he’s going to play at the next level and at least has the potential to be an impact guy. It’s going to be a lot tougher to tell during this pandemic season than it will be once he arrives to NHL training camp next season. He should be expected to take a big step forward and challenge for a spot.
- Chris Peters.
Will see, I am glad he got traded to the best team and hope he makes some noise during a great playoff run. He made major strides last season so this season has been more of a let down to this point. I would of hoped he would be fighting for the top couple spots in the scoring race after last season. Have to say I am disappointed in his play so far. Hopefully he turns it up to another level like he did last season when he was getting 2+ points a game average for a long stretch after a slow start.
Personally I would be fine with trading him and POJ for a good top 6 forward. Don't really care about futures with the way Crosby, Malkin, and Letang are playing now. I want to go for it these next two years while our core can still play at the level they have these last 15+ games. When it is time for a rebuild I want to tank to the bottom for a few years. Trade all good assets you have left for picks and prospects. That's when I will care about prospects.
Even with that said I really like the free additions of Zohorna, Lee, and O'Connor. Hopefully Maniscalco can get it going also and he is young and has nice size and skill so will see how he develops. Love those free additions and that is one of my biggest reasons for trading picks and prospects for Kessel, Perron, Brassard, Zucker, Kapanen, and others. You get those assets that can help you know and then good free prospects sign with you because your system is so light on prospects. I think that is one of the reasons someone like Marino was willing to sign with us instead of becoming a UFA shortly after.
Poulin did not stand out during camp this year over players like O'Conner who was a free asset. Yes he is 2 years younger but doesn't give me that confidence. He could still become a stud but all take the sure thing in a trade.
