Summary
The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially sent young forward Avery Hayes back to their minor league team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. This move happened on Thursday following the return of several key veteran players to the main lineup. With the team’s roster becoming crowded, the coaching staff decided it was best for the 23-year-old winger to get more playing time in the minors. This decision helps the team manage its roster size while allowing a developing player to continue his growth in a starting role.
Main Impact
The biggest impact of this move is the clearing of a roster spot on the NHL team. For the past few weeks, the Penguins had an unusual number of forwards available, which meant some players had to sit out every game. By moving Hayes down, the team reduces its active roster to a more manageable size. This also ensures that Hayes is not just sitting in the stands as a healthy scratch. In the AHL, he will be a top player and get the minutes he needs to improve his skills, which is much better for his long-term career than being a backup in the NHL.
Key Details
What Happened
The decision to move Avery Hayes was triggered by the return of team captain Sidney Crosby. Crosby had been on the injured reserve list but was activated for Wednesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Additionally, star center Evgeni Malkin recently returned to the ice after serving a five-game suspension. With these two leaders back in the lineup, the Penguins found themselves with 16 healthy forwards. Since NHL teams usually only carry 12 to 14 forwards, someone had to be sent down. Because Hayes does not have to go through the waiver process—a rule that allows other teams to claim a player for free—he was the easiest choice to move.
Important Numbers and Facts
Avery Hayes has had an interesting journey this season. He played 11 games for Pittsburgh during this recent stretch. His time in the NHL started with a bang when he scored two goals in his very first game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 5. However, those remained his only two goals of the season. Over those 11 games, he averaged about 10 minutes and 37 seconds of ice time per game. While he showed flashes of talent, his "possession numbers" were a concern. This means that when he was on the ice, the other team usually had the puck more often than the Penguins did. Specifically, Pittsburgh only controlled about 45% of the shots when he was playing, even though the coaches tried to give him an advantage by starting most of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Background and Context
Avery Hayes is what many call a "diamond in the rough." He was never drafted by an NHL team, which usually makes it very hard to reach the professional level. He originally signed a contract to play only in the minor leagues back in 2023. However, he played so well in the AHL last year—scoring 23 goals—that the Penguins decided to give him a full NHL contract for this season. He is a smaller but fast player, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. His story is one of hard work, moving from an undrafted free agent to a player who actually suited up for one of the most famous teams in hockey. This season in the AHL, he has been very productive, recording 19 goals and 11 assists in just 36 games.
Public or Industry Reaction
Fans and analysts generally see this as a smart move for a team trying to make a playoff push. While Hayes is a fan favorite because of his underdog story, the reality of the NHL is that veteran experience often wins out during the final months of the season. The return of Crosby and Malkin provides a massive boost to the team's morale and skill level. Most hockey experts agree that Hayes has a bright future, but they also noted that he looked a bit overwhelmed in the defensive part of the game during his recent NHL appearances. Sending him back to the AHL allows him to work on those defensive habits without the high pressure of the NHL playoff race.
What This Means Going Forward
For the Penguins, the roster is now more stable. Even though players like Kevin Hayes and Blake Lizotte are currently dealing with minor upper-body injuries, the team still has enough depth. They have other young players like Ville Koivunen available if another injury happens. For Avery Hayes, this is not a permanent goodbye to the NHL. He will likely be the first player called back up if the team needs more scoring help later in the season. He will spend the next few weeks helping the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their own quest for a championship. This experience in the NHL has given him a clear roadmap of what he needs to work on to become a full-time player next year.
Final Take
Moving Avery Hayes back to the minors is a standard part of managing a professional hockey team. It shows that the Penguins are getting healthy at the right time. While Hayes proved he can score at the highest level, he still needs to round out his game to stay there permanently. This move benefits both the player and the organization by putting everyone in the best position to succeed as the season reaches its most critical point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Avery Hayes sent down if he scored two goals?
While he had a great debut, his overall performance showed he needed more development. With stars like Sidney Crosby returning to the lineup, there was no longer a regular spot for him to play every night.
Does Hayes have to stay in the AHL for the rest of the season?
No. Because of how his contract is set up, the Penguins can call him back up to the NHL at any time if they have an injury or need a fresh player for the lineup.
What are "possession metrics" mentioned in the article?
These are statistics that track which team has the puck more often while a specific player is on the ice. For Hayes, the numbers showed the opposing teams were taking more shots than the Penguins when he was playing.
