The Penguins took care of some business over the weekend, taking advantage of the QMJHL regular season ending to sign up two 2025 draft picks from that league. First rounder Bill Zonnon
A final ruling is in flux about the CHL-NHL player transfer agreement about as far as how many teenagers will be able to play in the AHL, but that shouldn’t matter for Zonnon next season. He turns 20 in early October and has four CHL seasons under his belt, he’ll be AHL-eligible by any number of criteria. If the rule was established earlier, Zonnon might have spent 2025-26 in the AHL given his birthday. Zonnon put up 46 points in 35 games in Quebec and could project as a well-rounded, speedy mid-line center at the next level.
Pittsburgh also got another 2025 draft pick under contract in the form of goalie Gabriel D’Aigle.
D’Aigle played behind a weak team but had a strong finish to the season. The third round pick shares a hometown of Sorel, Quebec (and agent) with another former Pittsburgh goalie.
The Pens still have more signings to go from their large 13-player draft class of 2025. The team still has to sign four CHL players by June 1, 2027 (Travis Hayes, Ryan Miller, Quinn Beauchesne, Jordan Charron). Several more 2025 drafted prospects are going the college route with the team retaining their rights through August 2029 (Will Horcoff, Charlie Trethewey, Brady Peddle, Kale Dach, Carter Sanderson). Zonnon and D’Aigle join two other 2025 drafts of the Pens who have already signed in Peyton Kettles and rookie phenom Ben Kindel.