First-round pick Brayden Yager is elevating his game in WHL playoffs.

Kyle Dubas has teased that the Pittsburgh Penguins will provide NHL opportunities to a handful of young players and prospects in the 2024-25 season. A few of those players played in the short-lived AHL playoff run for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.

However, the Penguins' top prospect is battling for a spot in the WHL Championship. Brayden Yager, the Penguins' first-round pick in 2023, has 20 points (10G-10A) in 15 games this postseason with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Warriors blew past the Brandon Wheat Kings and Swift Current Broncos in the first two rounds but find themselves in a massive Game 7 against the Saskatoon Blades.

Yager has six points (3G-3A) this series, including the overtime winner in Game 1.

The 19-year-old forward was impressive in his first rookie and training camps with the Penguins last fall and could enter next year's camp with a chance to earn an NHL sweater. At his season-ending press conference, Dubas included Yager on a list of players he expects to push for a role with the Penguins next season.

But before he can get to that, Yager will look to help lead his junior team to their first WHL Championship and Memorial Cup appearance in the organization's history. Game 7 between the Warriors and Blades begins at 8 pm Eastern later tonight.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaLK6qoja50[/embed]

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