Former Penguins Forward Prospect Makes Stunning Return to the NHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins are out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after failing to qualify for a third straight season, but that doesn't mean fans can't see familiar faces taking place on other teams.

Now, a surprising familiar face has rejoined the fray, as the New Jersey Devils announced a string of callups ahead of Game Three against the Carolina Hurricanes in their first-round matchup.

Among them was a very familiar name to Penguins fans, as former third-round pick Nathan Legare has officially made his return to the NHL after just three games with the Devils in 2024/25.

The 24-year old was a third-round pick of the Penguins back in the 2019 NHL Draft, but after the 2022/23 season, his second with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he was moved on by the organization.

While he's yet to find his footing as a star in the AHL, Legare posted a solid 8 goals and 17 assists in 61 games for the Utica Comets this season, and with the Devils ravaged by injury, he may get his chance again at the NHL level in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Despite getting this opportunity, the Penguins likely weren't wrong to move on from Legare, who showed very little in his time with the WBS Penguins team in the AHL, but now, he's just another example of a former Penguin that has gone much further in 2024/25 than the team did after they missed their third straight post-season appearance.