Nathan Légaré

September 2019 – Who says pre-season games don’t count? Légaré signed a three-year, entry-level contract ($925,000 AAV) the day after scoring twice in 23 seconds in a 4-1 exhibition win over Columbus. The sniping RW leads Pittsburgh with three points in two “meaningless” outings so far. This is promising for the Penguins, who traded up to take him with the 74th-overall pick in this year’s entry draft. Légaré is renowned for his heavy shot, although concerns remain about his skating. The 18-year-old will work on that once he’s returned to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Mark Allan

June 2019 – Opting for quality over quantity with their draft picks, Pittsburgh traded up to choose Légaré in the third round. In exchange, the Penguins surrendered their fourth-round, fifth-round, and seventh-round picks in the 2019 draft to the Arizona Coyotes. The sturdy winger’s second-year production (45 goals, 42 helpers and plus-37 in 68 games) was dramatically better than his rookie campaign with Baie-Comeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. His 87 points for the Drakkar were eighth in the league, and 52 penalty minutes underscored his physical willingness. Three scores and an assist in seven playoff games as well as four goals in seven appearances in the under-18 world junior championship supported his growing reputation as a sniper. His variety of effective shots includes a howitzer and a superior wrister. The power forward hits to hurt, although his skating is deficient. His ability to address that will determine whether he plays in the NHL and on what line. Légaré plays hard, protects the puck and keeps his feet moving. That’s important because, while his first few steps are decent, his acceleration and top speed are mediocre at best. He’ll have time in junior and the minor pros to work on that. Mark Allan