The Penguins are making waves with the recall of right winger Avery Hayes from their AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. With an open roster spot, Pittsburgh didn't need to shuffle the deck to bring him up, and it's a move that's been eagerly anticipated.
Pittsburgh's prospect pool has been a hot topic, and Hayes has emerged as one of the brightest stars. The 23-year-old has been lighting up the AHL, leading the Baby Pens with 19 goals in 36 games.
His recent form has been particularly eye-catching, featuring two hat tricks in his last five games during the Olympic break. Over his last 10 games, including a stint with the NHL squad against the Sabres, Hayes has tallied 11 goals and 13 points, boasting a +6 rating.
Despite being surrounded by high draft picks, Hayes's journey began as an undrafted free agent signing in 2023 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It wasn't until the 2025 trade deadline that the Penguins recognized his potential, tearing up his AHL contract to offer him an entry-level deal, which extends beyond this season.
Hayes made his NHL debut just before the break, initially called up due to team absences. However, his performance in the minors had long warranted this opportunity.
His return to the roster signals Pittsburgh's intent to utilize his talents for the stretch run. In his brief NHL appearance, Hayes impressed with two goals and six shots in just over 10 minutes on the ice.
This translates to a staggering 35.47 shots per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, more than doubling the league's second-best figure.
The Penguins' forward lineup is nearing full strength. Filip Hallander is on a conditioning assignment as he recovers from blood-clot issues, while Sidney Crosby's return from a knee injury sustained during the Olympics seems imminent, as he was day-to-day before the gold medal game.
For now, Hayes has jumped ahead of other promising prospects like Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty in the team's depth chart. With Pittsburgh eyeing an end to their three-year playoff drought, it will be fascinating to watch how Hayes is deployed in the coming weeks.