PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He sounds like everything you would want in a center as Brayden Yager was still trying to grasp that he will be a Pittsburgh Penguin after being selected 14th overall in the NHL Draft on Wednesday.
He said something that would scare defensive-minded coaches and potentially some fans.
“You’re not going to score if you don’t shoot the puck.” Yager said to reporters in Nashville.
It sounds like a gunner, someone who will coast into the defensive zone, only to find that gear if he has a chance to shoot the puck. He shot and scored well in Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League for three years, 69 goals, 62 in his last two seasons. But there is more there, scouts discussed his defensive ability and feeling of responsibility. He has a focus on details.
“(It’s something) My parents have tried to get me to work on,” Yager said. “I role-modeled my game after Sidney Crosby, it’s pretty crazy to think I will wear the same jersey as he does. I think just being able to play a 200-foot game is huge in transferring to the NHL level and getting the trust of your coaches.”
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Exhale. He’s not just the run-and-gun player who, yes can make you happy, but also drive you nuts. The 5’11”, 170-pounder was part of Canada’s gold-medal winning U18 team in the Gretzky/Hlinka Cup scoring five goals and four assists in nine games. He takes pride in not just his shot, but being a two-way player.
He can’t wait to learn more from Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang-names he’s known his whole life. He believes he’s still at least two years away.
“I think the biggest thing is getting bigger and stronger,” Yager said. “It’s crazy saying I’m with Pittsburgh right now. Obviously get some advice from them and get as much information as I can and go from there.”
Yager said he had a good feeling about the Penguins taking him in the first round after ‘supper’ with the team during prospect work. He said he ordered a Caesar’s salad for that dinner. In about two years he’ll eat one with fries on top hoping to make an impact while the big three are still playing.
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