Brayden Yager will likey play in the WHL next season, and there’s nothing wrong with that

Juniors can still offer Pens’ top prospect what he needs

There’s an alpha dog at the Penguins’ ongoing summer development camp, and it’s Brayden Yager. Pittsburgh’s first round pick in 2023 is coming of an eye-popping season.

Yager is now stuck in what could be something of a no man’s land as far as where he could and should play next season. He’s 19, which given his CHL path is too young to play in the American Hockey League in 2024-25, per the agreement between the NHL and CHL. Many yearn and bemoan that Yager he were week or more older, he would qualify to turn pro early. At the same time, Yager might not be quite prepared yet for full-time NHL action and is clearly a dominant, top-level player at the Western League level in Canadian juniors.

So what’s a team to do in this situation?

Sit back and be patient. Yager will be fine in the WHL with Moose Jaw and playing on Team Canada in the World Juniors for another year. His weight is low enough as an indicator that as a teenager he’s likely not physically ready for the rigors of a professional season to compete against grown men. You don’t see many (any?) 170-ish pound centers in the pro, and some of Yager’s best traits are being a responsible center with a great shot.

Another year in juniors to gain experience and grow is a good thing that will benefit him. Rushing him along or wishing to push him through the ranks too quickly into levels he isn’t ready for wouldn’t be a good thing.

That train of thought doesn’t always resonate for a very promising former high pick going into his draft+2 season to stay at the same level of play, but let’s show the example of a similar style of player, who just happens to be named “Brayden” and played for Moose Jaw.

Only the draft position difference stands out. Point and Yager both put up three quality WHL seasons and had to go back for a fourth. Point was able to sign an ATO once his junior season ended in the spring of 2015 and get some AHL games in, but returned back to juniors in draft+2 (2015-16). Aside from injury, he lit up the league and used his final season in the WHL as an on ramp to a successful NHL career starting in draft+3.

If you’re the Penguins, you would love to see these parallel stories of Yager and Point continue on as far as possible. Even if not, this anecdotal example of Point is a good usage to keep in mind for what could be next for Yager.

No, he doesn’t need to go to the AHL or risk falling behind. Yes, playing an overage season in the WHL can still be of use. In hockey and often in life, the cream will rise to the top. Good players will be good players and eventually succeed in due time. Brayden Point wouldn’t be any better today if he could have played in the AHL at age 19/20. He ended up becoming exactly the player he always was destined to become, having to play one final season in Moose Jaw was no detriment to him in the long run.

While we can’t say Yager will be a multiple-time 90+ point scorer, on the subject of development the same will hold true for Yager. He will get to where his talent and work takes him, the level of play in draft+2 isn’t going to change that. For now, the Pens need to track how close he might be for a nine-game NHL audition in 2024-25, and just enjoy the slow development period required to turn quality young hockey players into eventually just quality hockey players period.