Derrick Pouliot is one of the few unknowns heading into the 2016-17 for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not only are we searching for what kind of player he will be, but what will happen regarding the Las Vegas expansion draft?
He was not happy about how things played out last year and what person wouldn’t be? He talked with Sam Werner recently and there are something I saw that was intriguing
Sporting a new haircut and a tan, Derrick Pouliot is hoping for a different training camp, writes @SWernerPG: https://t.co/pfktPVEPQq
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 10, 2016
One variable that could help Pouliot earn a spot in the lineup is potentially playing on the right side, despite being a left-handed shot.The Penguins have typically preferred to keep players on their natural sides, but Trevor Daley has played offhand for them, and Pouliot said he played extensively on the right side in his junior career.
“It’s something I’m comfortable with, and, if it’s a spot I could fit in, that’d be great,… he said.
It isn’t talked about too often but Derrick Pouliot (according to him) can play the right side. At first the general thought was that Pouliot would have to beat out Ian Cole for playing time but if he is able to play both sides (and team is willing to try it) then it opens up the possibility of beating out Ian Cole and/or Justin Schultz.
In Pouliot’s limited 2015-16 sample he led all Penguins defensemen in CF/60, CA/60, as well as 5v5 points per 60. His sample wasn’t large enough to have confidence in the results but it should make the team curious enough to find out further. By being able to play both sides he becomes adaptable and should help with an increased sample moving into 2016-17.
Food for thought as we edge closer to training camp
Thanks for reading!