Having watched Pouliot last year in Springfield, he really emerged as a goal scorer. Yet at the NHL level, his shot was not translating.
His career stats entering this season were 78gp. 6-13-19
This season 33gp. 6-4-10
Prorated to his previous career game total of 78 games he's on pace for 14-9-23
However Pouliot has transformed his game since his pro career started. In his rookie pro season in Hamilton, Pouliot had exactly twice as many assists as he had goals (15-30-45). Since that time at the AHL level, Pouliot has scored 35 goals and had 43 assists, a much more evenly balanced stat line.
Pouliot still shows the ability to make solid passes, but he is evolving into a shoot first ask questions later type of a player. I saw this in Pouliot last season in Springfield. I was questioning his role as a passer as he was a guy that would shoot much more so than pass.
Pouliot's evolution into a goal scorer has nearly been completed. It couldn't come at a better time with the Oilers lacking one shot goal scorers and goal scorers of any kind up front. As his confidence comes around, we'll be seeing more goals from #78.
He may not be Parise, he may not be Getzlaf, but at least he's well on his way to becoming a full time NHL player. And a fine one at that.
