Penguins Officially Sign Exciting Top Prospect From the 2023 Draft

Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins debuted several exciting young prospects, and while they don't have any of the big name prospects in their organization, they've most certainly got some intriguing names.

Now, they've officially signed another, as they have now inked former fifth-round draft pick Mikhail Ilyin to a three-year entry level deal, beginning in the 2025/26 season as he's likely to make the jump to the AHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The 20-year old Russian forward enters next season on the back of back-to-back career years in the KHL, tallying 29 and 30 points over his last two seasons, showing consistency that few teenagers in the KHL have ever shown.

Standing at 6-foot-0 tall, Ilyin has the physical presence and the talent to be an intriguing prospect at the next level, and while his draft positioning will certainly work against him, if he can perform in the AHL, there's no reason why he can't be a solid middle-six winger in the NHL.

This is just the beginning of what will be a key off-season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as they're likely to see several prospects make the jump to the professional level, and with cash to spend and plenty of draft picks, GM Kyle Dubas has the chance to transform this organization in the coming months.

As for Ilyin, he's definitely not considered a can't miss prospect for Penguins fans, but he certainly has some great potential, and if he continues to develop, keep an eye on him in 2025/26 as a potential Penguin of the future.