Forward Sam Poulin is in a good position with the Penguins

Given how often the franchise has traded away high-end prospects and top draft picks for the past 15 years, there is a limited fraternity of first-round picks in the Penguins’ fold.

In fact, having a first-round pick in a prospect camp is a little rare.

Like “albino unicorn born on Feb. 29” rare.

Suffice it to say, Sam Poulin has a presence in the team’s ongoing camp in Cranberry. And he’ll garner his share of attention when training camp for the entire organization opens next week.

The 21st overall selection in the 2019 draft, Poulin sounds ready to stake his claim for a spot on the NHL roster.

“I think I grew a lot, personally,” Poulin said on Saturday. “A lot went down those last two years. In junior, I learned a lot about myself. Overall, I just feel better as a player.”

Poulin weathered a disjointed final season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). As one of the few leagues in North America that tried to play through the pandemic last fall, the QMJHL had several stoppages related to covid-19.

Poulin opened the season as captain of the Sherbrooke Phoenix but played in only five games for that club, none coming after Nov. 7.

“It was weird a little bit,” Poulin said. “It was different, for sure, from past years with all the quarantines we had to do. It was always on and off. We had to find a way just to make sure you were ready at any time. (The QMJHL) did a really nice job of managing that. We ended up having a (postseason), too. It was just fun playing through the playoffs with those circumstances.”

After attending the Penguins’ training camp in January for the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, Poulin was returned to Sherbrooke on Jan. 11. By Jan. 25, he was traded to the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

Primarily skating on a line with fellow Penguins prospect Nathan Legare, Poulin was productive as he posted 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 19 games.

During the Foreurs’ run to the President’s Cup Final, Poulin was dominant with 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) in 14 games.

He didn’t just produce. He also diversified his game a bit by moving to center on the Foreurs’ top line during the postseason.

“Last time I played center I think was bantam,” the 20-year-old said. “So it was a while back. It was just good for myself to play that position. I played wing most of my years in junior. But to see the game in a different perspective, a different point of view I think was good for me. I learned to play all three positions as a forward. It’s just good for my toolbox to be able to play anywhere.

“I’m comfortable at all three positions.”

That comfort could boost his chances to claim a regular spot on an NHL roster that happens to be short a franchise center or two given the injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Regardless of what position he lines up at, Poulin is mindful that a greater defensive acumen will boost his chances of being in the NHL lineup.

“It’s the aspect that I improved a lot back in junior,” Poulin said. “I played (on the first penalty kill unit) and had some big minutes on the defensive side of the game. It just helped me be a better well-rounded player.”

Even with his pedigree and documented growth, Poulin realizes nothing is guaranteed as it pertains to his status with regards to the NHL roster. It’s very possible, if not probable, that he’ll open the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League for some valuable refinement.

Either way, he’s ready for a challenge.

“If I can make the (NHL roster) better, there’s a good chance I’m going to earn my spot. It’s going to be a fun (training) camp,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun time to show off what I’m about.”

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