Penguins Likely to Cut Ties With Veteran Defenseman After New Report

After four stable seasons with the AHL affiliates of the Calgary Flames, Colton Poolman joined the Buffalo Sabres as a UFA in the 2024 offseason. The transaction failed to produce many opportunities.

He was scratched for 26 of 31 games in the Rochester Americans, registering one assist in five games.

A midseason deal to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton gave Poolman limited ice time. With the Penguins' blue line depleted by injuries, he paired up as the third unit and played in 11 of 12 games between Jan. 4 and Feb. 7, handing out two assists.

After a seven-game scratch string, he resurfaced Feb. 23 and scored his sole goal of the year in a 5-4 OT loss to Providence.

Poolman's season continued with three additional games, then he suffered an injury of undisclosed severity that kept him out in mid-April.

He didn't play in either of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's pair of playoff games. Now an unsigned UFA, Poolman, who will turn 30 in December, will not be returning.

He was signed chiefly to add depth to a depleted roster, and while he's long proven himself a reliable AHL defenseman, posting 60+ games in three straight seasons with the affiliates of Calgary, his 2024-25 campaign never got on track.

Considering younger prospects like Daniel Laatsch, Emil Pieniniemi, and Chase Pietila, who are expected to fight for spots next season, Poolman will probably need a new destination in order to maintain his pro career.