The World Junior Championships are coming up and Team Canada has just wrapped up their selections. Not joining the team will be Penguins prospect, Sam Poulin.
Penguins prospect Samuel Poulin was among the final cuts from Canada’s World Junior roster. He didn’t make the team.
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) December 11, 2020
Canada has a very competitive group of forward candidates so it was never a given for Poulin to make it. This does throw at least a little bit of cold water on the idea of Poulin being able to jump into the Penguins active roster and provide consistent play. I know a lot of people were looking forward to the idea of Poulin earning a spot on the third line. Not making the junior team seems like it may be premature to expect him to compete nightly as an NHL third line player.
That said, the World Junior Championships are wildly overrated as a tournament, let me explain. The tournament is really fun and one of the best hockey events of the year. The problem is too many people put too much stock in the two week tournament instead of enjoying it for what it is. Some player’s perceptions are minted at this tournament and instead of it just being a thing they played it it becomes a footnote on their destiny. I think it is comical when this happens and it happens almost every year to a few players for good or bad.
Sam Poulin not making this team does not alter his destiny as a pro prospect overall. It speaks a little bit to the short term capabilities of making an NHL roster, but we should have had the mindset that was a long shot anyways. At least I’m hoping the general manager went in thinking it was a long shot. Although, when you looking at the scoring depth in the bottom six maybe Rutherford was depending on him… hopefully not.
There are still some Penguins prospects that might play in the tournament
The Penguins have two remaining World Junior hopefuls, both goaltenders drafted this year. Joel Blomqvist for Finland, Calle Clang for Sweden.
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) December 11, 2020
If following prospects is your thing, you still have two left as of right now.
Thanks for reading!