What was the best moment of the 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins season? It’s pretty well known that the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect pool is already lacking in star power, but it’s about to lose some depth. One of the Penguins’ top prospects in Filip Hallander is returning to his native Sweden by signing a five-year contract with Timra IK of the SHL. Hallander is a 22-year-old forward who never got a fighting chance to break out at the NHL level. In 2018, Hallander was drafted by the Penguins in the second round (58th overall) and didn’t start playing in North America until the 2021-22 season. Hallander spent most of his time in North America with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins; he only played three games at the NHL level. In those three games with the NHL Penguins, Hallander did not record a single point. During his time with the WBS Penguins, Hallander was often one of the most productive forwards putting up 61 points in 104 games. In August of 2020, while still playing in Sweden, Hallander was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before making his way across the Atlantic Ocean, the Penguins re-acquired Hallander in exchange for Jared McCann. With next to no time spent at the NHL level and McCann exploding as the best forward on the Seattle Kraken, this trade will go down as one of the worst in Ron Hextall’s tenure as Penguins’ general manager. Hallander is an upcoming restricted free agent and the Penguins can make a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights. The Penguins could welcome him back to the organization if Hallander decides to return to the NHL at the end of his contract in Sweden that lasts until 2028. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Best and Worst of the 2022-23 Penguins Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/best-worst-2022-23-pittsburgh-penguins-season] Marc Bergevin Is an Experienced Option for Penguins GM [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/marc-bergevin-experienced-option-pittsburgh-penguins-general-manager] Penguins Young Guns Need to Step Up [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-young-guns-step-up] Penguins RFAs Deserve Bigger Roles Next Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-restricted-free-agents-deserve-bigger-roles] Penguins' Casey DeSmith, Nick Bonino Will Play in World Championship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-casey-desmith-nick-bonino-play-world-championship] * undefined * undefined
