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Penguins make their most promising signing of the offseason |
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In the big picture the signing was a formality and something that would eventually get done. When we look back it will likely go down as the best signing the Penguins make this season, partly due to the lackluster free agency Pittsburgh had this summer. Brayden Yager, the Penguins most promising prospect in a few years, signed his three-year entry level deal.
Yager, selected 14th overall by the Penguins in the 2023 NHL Draft, has spent the last four seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. The 19-year old forward tallied career highs across the board this season, ranking second on his team with 60 assists and third in goals (35) and points (95). In the postseason, Yager ranked in the top-four among all WHL players with 11 goals (3rd), 16 assists (4th) and 27 points (3rd) in 20 playoff games en route to the WHL Championship. In the Memorial Cup, he was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after tallying six points (3G-3A) in four games. Yager was recognized as the CHL’s Sportsman of the Year in 2023-24.
Yager was impacted by the COVID shortened junior season early in his career which had a limited number of games. This is important because he should be eligible for the AHL and avoid the nonsense CHL transfer agreement hellscape. He would need an exception to have that shortened season count as a full one. It looks like it isn’t coming, though
There were some questions whether the Penguins might look for an exemption for Yager to play in the AHL next season. The Kraken got that with Shane Wright this year, who would have had those four seasons had COVID not cost him a year in the OHL. The reason there were questions with Yager was he did have a fourth WHL season in 2020-21 that was only 24 games, one short of the requirement to count as a full season. The WHL only played 24 games that season in a shortened COVID season. But the Penguins wouldn't have the same case Seattle did with Wright: Yager shouldn't have been eligible to play in that 2020-21 season at all, because he was only 15 at the time it should have started. With the season starting late and it being short, players who were Yager's age were allowed to play in the WHL a year earlier than they should have. COVID didn't cost him any time, it gained him those 24 games. The Penguins won't get (or even ask for) that exemption.
Beyond annoying. What else is there left to say about it. Yager will likely have a very strong season in the WHL, but it feels excessive for him to return there instead of taking the next logical step in his development.
Thanks for reading!
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