BRAYDEN YAGER

2025-08-03

Scout: Austin Kelly

Skating:

Yager is a solid skater with good edgework and mobility. He isn't the fastest skater but has a strong burst and acceleration and with the ouch does well at being elusive while using his edges well. With a good skating coach in the pros he should be able to become a very strong skater.

Passing/Handling:

Yager is sixth among WHL players the past two seasons in Assists, and yet it seems the plsymaking element of his game has always been secondary to his scoring touch.

Yager has shown more of an ability to create plays and is getting better at exploiting open space to set up scoring chances for his teammates, although in the pro level it's likely his G/A totals will be more balanced.

Shooting:

Despite not appearing as a shooter on the scoresheet, Yager has been one of the most skilled scorers in the WHL since his draft year. Yager has shown the ability to score from just about anywhere and does well taking posession of the puck and creating his own shot, something that should translate to the pro level better than it is now.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Yager is a very smart player who plays quite methodical. In his earlier years Yager had relied a bit more on his skill set and has done better at planning out routes and not getting himself into trouble. He can struggle at times on defense in not being active enough and has caused a few poor goals, but shows that his vision and hockey sense is there, he just needs to use it better in physical play.

Forechecking:

Defense:

Up until last season, Yager wasn't a player who from a personal standpoint stood out as a defensively dominant player, always a bit too small to be overtly physical and never seemed like a shutdown player although he was capable enough.

Yager has improved immensely as a defensive forward. Perhaps it's his age helping him but Yager has become a lot better at breaking up plays and battling for the puck. He looks a lot more engaged as well in physical moments and is applying a lot more pressure.

He'll never compete for a Selke or be a top defender but there's a lot of positive growth in Yager's defensive game and has shown he's willing to step up in his own end.

Best Asset:

Yager is one of the most skilled prospects right now. He's a natural offensive creator who has a strong upside as a forward. Based on the skill be possesses with the puck, Yager has real potential as a top-line forward in the future if everything goes right.

Biggest Concern:

Yager isn't the biggest player and he'll have to prove he can match up physically against bigger, stronger teammates. Despite an improved defense he'll have to prove he can play physical in the pros and not rely on his natural skills to guide him.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Potential for a 55-65 point producer with possible peaks up to 70 depending on how many assists he can muster. Chance he's a first line center although as previously mentioned first line may move him to the wing.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Brayden Yager has always been a very natural offensive talent dating back to prior to the WHL where he seemed like one of the most surefire prospect out west in years although he had to compete with Connor Bedard for hype.

Yager has worked on improving the weaker elements in his game and if his development hits, he could manage a top-line role with his advanced offensive skill while having grown on defense. Could also play on both the PP and PK.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

45-50 point 2C with the chance to play PP2

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

Yager will have to prove he's physical and offensively skilled enough to match up against the league's best. He's good, but at his weakest he doesn't look like a top-six forward and can make a few poor mistakes.

Stylistic Comparable:

Yager has a game similar to Seth Jarvis. Yager is bigger but they're both smaller forward with a dynamic two-way offensive game who can both score goals and have a strong puck-moving sense.

Both play a mature game and despite a lack of physicality have been competitive impact forwards.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Yager is a player where you can see how he'd succeed and become a Seth Jarvis level player but you can also see a world where he's just another player in the mix. He's not perfect and at times you do want more from him, but at his best there's a player where you can see Yager very well outplay the expectations of him and pretty quickly into his career.

Games Scouted:

4/30/25 - Lethbridge vs Medicine Hat

4/29/25 - Lethbridge vs Medicine Hat

1/2/25 - Canada vs Czechia

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2024-08-15

Scout: Chris Collier

Center

Pittsburgh Penguins

14th Overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins (2023 NHL Entry Draft)

Skating:

Average

Skilled “stop-start” skater, but average in almost every other aspect. Yager’s best skating tool is his quick acceleration and stopping.

Passing/Handling:

Average

Often has a great first touch of the puck, putting himself in great shape to quickly fire his signature “Yager bomb”.

He’s a much better facilitator when utilizing short passes or saucers to the slot from the circles/ behind the net.

Can protect the puck well on his forehand side, especially by using his edges to lean on the defender while holding the puck at a distance.

Passing suffers once he is at speed.

General lack of creativity often when passing and stickhandling.

Shooting:

Elite

His shot is outstanding and is his greatest talent. He can get his shot off very quickly and from nearly any body position

Yager shoots from passes incredibly well. An attribute I believe will carry over well to the NHL.

Yager often shoots into blocks or from inopportune angles/distance.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Good

Exceptional positioning off puck to set himself up to take shots. Often find him “disappearing”, only to pop into a scoring position the moment it’s available.

Takes greatly timed cuts toward the net.

Can have poor decision making when stickhandling at high speeds.

Noticeably uncomfortable on the left side of the ice (backhand side) unless skating from behind the net with the punk to his forehand.

Forechecking:

Good

Brayden has a very high motor and above average stick checking. His below average strength/ physicality is holding him back from being an excellent forechecker.

Defense:

Above Average

Great pass anticipation/ interception skill and great stick checking.

Sound positioning most of the time but also has brief moments of puck watching.

He will need to become stronger and more consistent to be an effective two-way player in the pros.

Best Asset:

Jager’s shot. NHL ready release

Biggest Concern:

His lack of physicality and average playmaking lead me to believe he will become a RW at the NHL level. May be linemate dependent as a pro.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 2 1st / 2nd line center. PP1

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

If Yager adds physicality to his game and can refine his playmaking, the path to being a 70+ point scorer on the Penguins is easy to imagine with his already elite shooting and high motor.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Tier 3 RW. PP1

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

His shot is NHL caliber, but if he never develops his game beyond what we currently see he will be a low bash, high goal type of winger. 30g-30a type seasons during his prime.

Stylistic Comparable:

Travis Konecny with little bash

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Firkus was consistently dishing beautiful passes to Jager for many of his goals/ scoring chances. I can see Jager being very linemate dependent, as he doesn’t seem to be a play-driver at this stage of his development.

Jager was seemly a great teammate, which was great to see in a young player. Jager won CHL Sportsman of the Year for this past season. Based on the games I scouted, I 100% understand why he was awarded this trophy. Brayden seems to be a great teammate and has a selfless attitude despite being a goal scorer first.

Games Scouted:

WJC to end of season