HabsWorld.net -- 

The Habs continue to be active on the small signing front on the opening day of free agency.  The team announced that they’ve signed forward Samuel Poulin and defenceman Ethan Samson to one-year, two-way contracts.

Poulin was a first-round pick by Pittsburgh back in 2019 but hasn’t been able to establish himself as a regular at the NHL level yet.  He has seen NHL action in parts of the last four seasons but it has only spanned 15 games where he has two assists.  That permitted him to become a Group Six unrestricted free agent today.

Last season, the 25-year-old split time between Pittsburgh and Edmonton’s farm teams, picking up 21 goals and 28 assists over 71 games.  Assuming he clears waivers in training camp (which seems likely given that he did last fall), he should step into a top-six role with Laval next season.

As for Samson, he just wrapped up his entry-level contract last year but did not receive a qualifying offer from Tampa Bay back on Monday, making him an unrestricted free agent.  The 22-year-old was a sixth-round pick by Philadelphia back in 2021, going 174th overall.  The Flyers traded him to the Lightning back in December.

Last season, Samson played in 40 games between the two AHL affiliates, putting up five goals and nine assists.  Over his three-year, entry-level pact, he had 20 goals and 34 helpers.  Samson, a right-shot blueliner, should help fill a spot on the second or third pairing with the Rocket while giving Montreal some recallable depth if injuries arise.  He will have to pass through waivers in the fall as well to join the Rocket.

Poulin is eligible for Group Six unrestricted free agency next summer unless he plays in 65 games with the Habs next season, an unlikely outcome.  As for Samson, he will be a restricted free agent next summer, meaning that if things go well for him, he could be around for more than just the upcoming season.