After the Pittsburgh Penguins were sold to the Hoffman family, it was obvious that they could witness some alterations to their minor league system. That became true after the Penguins announced they would be switching their ECHL affiliate from the Wheeling Nailers to the Hoffman owned Florida Everblades.
That meant Pittsburgh could be losing some of their prospects.
Just because the Penguins altered their ECHL club doesn't mean all of the players will join them. One of their top prospects who is coming off a monster season with the Nailers was one of them in limbo. Gabriel D'Aigle is a raw goalie who showed he can have some massive potential in front of him. There was a shot that the Penguins could've lost him during their transition to the Everblades.
The goalie was traded from Wheeling to the Penguins new ECHL affiliate for little value, which should provide relief. They invested a third-round pick in the netminder last year, and they hope he can turn into something special. It wasn't out of the question that they could lose the young professional, but with a trade completed, Pittsburgh will enjoy keeping him in the system.
Pittsburgh Penguins save Gabriel D'Aigle as their top goalie prospect after trade
Few know about D'Aigle, especially since he remains years away from joining the roster in Pittsburgh. Fans are excited to see Sergei Murashov compete for the starting spot with the Penguins this season. Don't discount the other goalies in the prospect pool who could become massive factors for the organization moving forward.
They have plenty of talent to consider.
This recent trade to bring back Gabriel D'Aigle might be the perfect long-term plan for the Penguins. The hope is that Murashov will become a fantastic starting goalie for the team, but there are no guarentees. Although D'Aigle is years away from having a shot at the big club, it's good to have quality depth at a position that struggles to find talent in the NHL.
Going into his potentially first full year of professional hockey might be the first litmus test for D'Aigle. He didn't see much time in Wheeling, but he is an interesting prospect with boom or bust potential. Keeping him in the system with the hope of a long-term backup plan behind their immense depth of prospects is best for the team.
It could take a while to see him emerge from the group of goaltenders.
Keep an eye on the other goalies who remain in front of D'Aigle on the pecking order. Murashov is just the start as Joel Blomqvist and Taylor Gauthier remain viable options to potentially turn into NHL caliber netminders. It's a crowded positional group around the organization, but one that needs heavy investment. Getting D'Aigle back via trade only secures the franchises future further.
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