Penguins Sign 2023 First-Round Pick To Three-Year, Entry-Level Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to make their roster younger, this time making an important signing.

Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced Thursday that they’ve signed 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager to a three-year, entry-level deal. Pittsburgh selected the 19-year-old with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

After not having a first-round selection in this year’s draft, the signing of Yager is a welcome one as he has a shot to make the 2024-25 Penguins roster.

Yager spent the past four years playing junior hockey in the Western Hockey League as a member of the Moose Jaw Warriors. It was the 2023-24 season that saw the center have his best season yet, scoring 35 goals and dishing 60 assists, good for 95 points in 57 games. He also had 27 points in 20 playoff games, helping lead the team to winning the league’s championship.

The 19-year-old most recently played for Team Canada in the World Junior Championships, recording five points in five games. Overall in his WHL career, he’s scored 104 goals while adding 146 assists in 211 regular season games.

Yager will bring his scoring prowess to the Penguins and have a shot to earn a spot in the lineup when he takes part in his second training camp with the team. If he doesn’t make the team, he will return to the Moose Jaw Warriors for another season.

Yager’s chance to shine will come in September when Pittsburgh’s training camp gets going.

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