CRANBERRY, Pa. — Sam Poulin said he just wants to look to the future with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 22-year-old forward made his NHL debut on October 25, 2022, with an assist in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. Poulin played again with the Penguins on Oct. 28 and Nov. 5 before being reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Then, on December 7, the No. 21 picks in the 2019 NHL Draft took a leave of absence, citing personal reasons.
Poulin returned to play for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on April 7 and 10. Now back, he said he wants to take advantage of the new chapter.
“I worked on myself a lot the last two months,” Poulin said at the Penguins prospect development camp last month. “Right now, I’m just in a good place. Just ready to play hockey. That’s what’s important to me right now.”
Poulin (6-foot-1, 208 pounds) was limited to 18 games last season: three at Pittsburgh and 15 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In addition to his one assist in the NHL, he has four goals in the AHL.
The time away made things difficult, Poulin said. He’s still looking to regain his form, something he says will come with time.
“I think it’s just a matter of having a different mindset,” Poulin said. “I haven’t played for a couple of months, so for sure, my body hasn’t gotten used to that stress yet. Just be patient with the process and I know, eventually, I’ll be able to get back to where I was. .”
In 2021-22, his first season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Poulin had 37 points (16 goals, 21 points) in 72 games.
Exceeding that level is the goal. Meanwhile, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach JD Forrest said patience is a priority.
“With Sam, out of respect to him, right now, we’re just happy he’s here,” said Forrest during the development camp. “He’s in a great place. We’re looking forward to all of that. He’s a great kid. We’re happy to have him involved in all of this. He’s great out there today.”
Poulin is helped by versatility, having the ability to play center and wing. He was under center after being called up by Pittsburgh last season.
“If it’s the case again, I’ll be ready,” Poulin said. “If it’s in the wings, I’m ready too.”
Poulin, a native of Laval, Quebec, said he’s not too sure about the current state of his game.
“Honestly, I didn’t skate much for the last, like, two months of the season,” he said. “It’s a process and I’m just patient with it. I don’t want to put too much pressure on a timeline. I know time will take care of itself.”
But he added that just going back helped.
“I’ve been playing hockey since I was 3 or 4 years old. That’s what I wanted to do,” Poulin said. “Things haven’t changed at all. I’ve always been happy to be on the rink and on the ice.”