Pittsburgh Penguins Prospect Signs In Sweden

Pittsburgh Penguins' former top prospect Filip Hallander has signed a long-term deal with Timra HK of the Swedish Hockey League, ending his pursuit of an NHL career for the foreseeable future.

The 22-year-old had shown promise in the AHL, but his return to Europe effectively ends his chances of becoming a full-time contributor to the Penguins, who drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

This past season, Hallander scored 11 goals and 33 points across 43 games, while missing time with injury.

Well, here's some rotten news for the Penguins.

Forward Filip Hallander, one of their top prospects, has signed a five-year contract with Timra of the Swedish Hockey League.

With regard to his NHL rights, is a pending restricted free agent this upcoming offseason. https://t.co/PWhVZkzx2g

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) April 28, 2023

The loss of Hallander further depletes the Penguins' already weak prospect pool and highlights the frustration surrounding the team's recent player acquisitions.

In 2020, the Penguins traded Hallander to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal that brought Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh at a cost of a first-round pick. However, Kapanen failed to make a significant impact before being claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Blues in February.

A year later, the Penguins reacquired Hallander in exchange for Jared McCann, who has since become a key player for the Seattle Kraken.

My $.02:

Filip Hallander's ceiling was only as a third-line winger.

But that's exactly what the Penguins need. And he would have been cheap given his RFA status.

Regardless if he wasn't given a chance or earned that chance, the Penguins needed that type of player to succeed.

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) April 28, 2023

The Penguins' roster is already one of the oldest in the NHL, and the departure of a promising young prospect like Hallander only adds to the team's struggles and limitations for the future.

With an administration change on the horizon, tough decisions about the direction of the franchise will need to be made to ensure long-term success.

Despite the Penguins' ability to retain Hallander's NHL rights by making a qualifying offer, his long-term contract in Sweden makes it unlikely that he will return to North America in the near future Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports