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Unexpected Penguins prospect pushing for an NHL opportunity after electric stretch in the AHL
Photo credit: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Penguins prospect Avery Hayes is making a strong case for himself in the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for a chance in the NHL with Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have multiple young prospects in their system that they hope will eventually make an impact at the NHL level, and one of them making himself known with the American Hockey League's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins is Avery Hayes.
So far this year in the AHL, Hayes has 17 points (9G, 8A) in 24 games, including 11 points in his last 11 games.
Last year was his first full year playing in the AHL, and he scored 42 points (23G, 19A) in 60 games played; he also spent time with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers.
If the Penguins experience an injury to their current roster, Hayes is making a strong case to be the player that Pittsburgh's brass could consider calling up to the big club.
Penguins Prospect Avery Hayes Is Making A Name For Himself With The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Hayes was never drafted into the NHL and instead signed with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2023 after playing in the Ontario Hockey League with Hamilton Bulldogs and Peterborough Petes.
Per his scouting report via Elite Prospects, Hayes has strong playmaking skills:
He combined look-offs with fake shots to pull defenders towards him, then passed through them into the space they just emptied. Capable of slipping pucks through defenders or hooking passes around their sticks, he showed promise of becoming a small-area playmaker. With the playmaking, Hayes brings flashy, yet projectable puckhandling and shooting. Without fail, he knocks down tricky passes into two-touch wristers and fires contortionist-like one-timers when necessary. - Elite Prospects
The Penguins re-signed Hayes to a two-year contract over the summer.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 80 ANSWERS Unexpected Penguins prospect pushing for an NHL opportunity after electric stretch in the AHL Will Penguins prospect Avery Hayes play in the NHL this year? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 65 % |
| No | 28 | 35 % |
| List of polls | ||