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'A Penguins Hidden Gem?': How Undrafted Penguins Prospect is Rising the Ranks Quickly
Avery Hayes went undrafted before landing with the Penguins, and after a solid season in the AHL, the 22-year old may be the team's hidden gem.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have plenty of big name prospects leading the way, and after adding another three in the 2025 NHL Draft, the future is looking brighter and brighter for the Penguins.
There's plenty of depth in their prospect pool as well, with one winger in Avery Hayes seemingly emerging as a genuine future NHLer for an organization screaming out for young stars.
Kyle Dubas' Long Game: Why Pittsburgh Always Had Hayes on Their Radar
The 22-year old has worked from being un-drafted to earning a spot with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, with Amanda Kessel, a key part of the Penguins scouting department having nothing but good things to say about him.
"Avery is a great kid. He's worked and earned everything that he's gotten.
He's a really good player. He's an all-around player who can kind of do everything. He has a knack for scoring. He'll fight somebody six or seven inches taller than him. It's tough to find a player like him."
He's a really good player. He's an all-around player who can kind of do everything. He has a knack for scoring. He'll fight somebody six or seven inches taller than him. It's tough to find a player like him."
In 2024/25, Hayes posted an impressive 23 goals and 42 points in 60 games played, and now, he's emerged as someone that could push for an NHL spot this year, especially if the team move on from Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
From OHL Champion to Penguins Prospect - The Hayes Brothers' Rising Legacy
This all comes after he won OHL Titles with Hamilton and Peterborough, and after the team drafted his brother Travis in the fourth round this year, it's becoming clear that the organization has been won over by his talent and hard work.
Only time will tell if Avery will get his shot at the NHL this season, but after producing in 2024/25, don't be shocked to see him as one of the next big prospects this team give a shot at the top level next season.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 22 ANSWERS 'A Penguins Hidden Gem?': How Undrafted Penguins Prospect is Rising the Ranks Quickly Will Avery Hayes be an NHL winger for the Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 68.2 % |
| No | 7 | 31.8 % |
| List of polls | ||