Penguins Rookie Avery Hayes Scores First NHL Goal Minutes After Surprise Call-Up

Rookie winger Avery Hayes turned a last-minute call-up into a headline performance, scoring twice in his very first NHL appearance as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The 23-year-old was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier in the day to replace Noel Acciari (illness), Rickard Rakell (lower-body injury) and Blake Lizotte (parental leave). Skating in jersey No. 85, Hayes needed just one period to validate the promotion, converting a fortuitous bounce off the end boards for his first goal before slipping away from coverage for the eventual game-winner. Why Hayes matters right now • Depth scoring: The Penguins entered the night ranked 26th in goals per game; Hayes’ instant offense relieves pressure on Sidney Crosby’s top line. • Lineup flexibility: A proven plug-and-play winger in junior and the AHL, Hayes can move up and down the lineup while injuries linger. • Timing: With the Olympic break looming, Pittsburgh gets an unexpected audition for a roster spot that could influence trade-deadline plans. Who is Avery Hayes? • Undrafted OHL standout: Two-time league champion with Hamilton, known for high-motor forechecking. • AHL breakthrough: 23 points and 41 PIM in 31 games this season after a 23-goal campaign in 2024-25. • Two-way upside: Coaches praise his defensive detail, a trait Mike Sullivan covets in bottom-six forwards. What’s next Team officials indicated before puck drop that Hayes would remain with the club “as long as we need fresh legs”. If he continues to produce, the Penguins could keep him past the break and reassign another depth winger once the roster is healthy. Big picture In a season where Pittsburgh’s margin for error is razor-thin, discovering an internal spark like Hayes can be the difference between sitting outside the wild-card and surging up the standings. For Hayes himself, two goals on debut instantly shift him from fringe prospect to legitimate roster contender—and give the fan base a new name to search for the rest of the year.