The Pittsburgh Penguins announced they have signed forward Filip Hallander to a three-year entry-level contract. The team’s second-round pick from this year’s 2018 draft is expected to remain in Sweden to play for Timra IK in the Swedish Hockey League.
The 18-year-old forward played 40 games for Timra IK when the team played in the Allvenskan league, posting nine goals and 20 points. He also helped Sweden to a bronze medal in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, scoring three goals in five games. Hallander is known to be a solid skater, who can both shoot and pass the puck equally well. Many believe the 18-year-old is likely going to be a third-line forward in the NHL, but has the potential to work his way into a top-six forward.
The Penguins, who traded their first round pick to the Ottawa Senators in the Derick Brassard deal, traded up to select Hallander, sending the 64th and 146th selections to Colorado to acquire him with the 56th pick. He was the second player selected by Pittsburgh as the team took defenseman Calen Addison three picks earlier. Hallander was ranked the 13th best European skater by NHL Central Scouting.