The Pittsburgh Penguins announced they have signed forward Justin Almeida to a three-year entry-level contract. The team’s fifth-round pick from 2018, who is currently playing with Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, will begin next season when he turns pro.
The Penguins have been busy in the last couple of days, signing 2017 fifth-rounder Jan Drozg to an entry-level deal and being immersed in trying to sign some college free agents, including forward Josh Wilkins. With the team having traded away their second, third, fourth and sixth-round picks in the 2019 draft, the team must bring in as much talent as possible for future years.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Almeida had a breakout season during the 2017-18 season when he scored 43 goals and 96 points in 72 games for Moose Jaw after an 11-goal, 28-point season in 2016-17. That season got him drafted in the fifth round. While he has just 28 goals this season, well shy of last season, the rest of his game has come around as Almeida has 69 assists, which leads the WHL. He currently has 96 points so far this season, which is fourth in the WHL.
Need youth so this is good!
The Pens scouting staff is so good at finding late round gems. Having a 5th round pick develop into a top scorer helps make up for all the traded draft picks.