Oct 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Avery Hayes (85) skates up the ice with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

nhl

Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Avery Hayes to Two-Year Entry-Level Deal

Undrafted forward Avery Hayes earns his NHL shot with the Penguins after a breakout AHL season, signing a two-year contract starting in 2025-26.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another promising young player to their pipeline, signing forward Avery Hayes to a two-year entry-level contract. The deal kicks in for the 2025-26 season, securing his spot in the organization through 2026-27.

Though Hayes wasn’t drafted, he’s no stranger to the Penguins system. The 22-year-old forward has spent the last two seasons playing for their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. His first year in the pros was an adjustment, producing just nine points in 29 games and even spending a short stint in the ECHL. However, this season has been a different story.

The Penguins have signed forward Avery Hayes to a two-year entry-level contract.

Hayes has spent the 2024.25 season with the @WBSPenguins. Through 44 games, he has recorded 17 goals, 18 assists, and 35 points.

Details: https://t.co/JEe6n7jyUb pic.twitter.com/LyC1Qs7PRQ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 13, 2025

Hayes has emerged as a key contributor for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, tallying 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 44 games while leading all forwards on the team with a +17 rating. Among the top 100 under-23 players in the AHL, he was the only one not affiliated with an NHL team—until now.

Also Read: Connor Zary Suspended Two Games for Elbowing Elias Pettersson

The Michigan native has championship experience as well, having won back-to-back Ontario Hockey League (OHL) titles in 2022 and 2023 with two different teams, the Hamilton Bulldogs and Peterborough Petes. His strong play has now earned him a two-year commitment from Pittsburgh, making him eligible for an NHL call-up starting next season.

With this signing, the Penguins now have 33 players under contract for the 2025-26 season, and Hayes will be a restricted free agent when his deal expires in 2027. He joins Chase Pietila and Daniel Laatsch as the latest prospects to sign entry-level contracts with Pittsburgh in the past four days.

This is a well-earned opportunity for Hayes, who has proven his potential at the AHL level. Now, he’ll look to take the next step toward securing a spot in the NHL.

Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Avery Hayes

NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!