Penguins re-sign forward Sam Poulin to two-year contract

Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced that the club has agreed to terms with Sam Poulin on a two-year contract extension.

The contract will run through the 2025-26 season and carries an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level.

Poulin spent most of the 2023-24 regular season with the Penguins’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins where he recorded 16 goals and 31 points in 41 games. Poulin’s 16 goals were tied for second among Penguins skaters and he ranked fourth in points.

The 23-year-old was oringally selected in the first round, No. 21 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft after registering 29 goals and 76 points in 67 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Throughout his QMJHL career, he tallied 88 goals and 229 points in 192 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix and Val-d’Or Foreurs.

Poulin made his NHL debut on October 25, 2022 and has played in six career NHL games.

He made headlines in 2023 after leaving hockey to deal with his mental health, upon returning to the Penguins he opened up on his Instagram profile about the struggles of mental health and the decision to return, “Three months ago I made a decision to take a break from hockey and return home to take care of myself and my mental health. After seeking the help I needed, I am now ready to return to Wilkes-Barre to rejoin my team. I want to thank everyone who helped get me through this difficult time, including my family, my girlfriend, my friends, my medical team, the entire Pittsburgh Penguins organization, my teammates and the fans who showed unconditional love and support. I strongly encourage everyone to speak openly about mental health because it affects us all. For those who are struggling, please know that you are not alone.”