The Pittsburgh Penguins have opted to retain forward james Andonovski for another season, signing him to a one-year contract worth $775,000. The move comes as Andonovski, a 25-year-old who has yet to make his NHL debut, continues to show promise in the American Hockey League (AHL), particularly with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
During his second full season in the AHL, Andonovski emerged as a significant contributor, leading all Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forwards with 23 assists in 62 games. Despite being called up by the Penguins in October, his appearance on the NHL roster was brief, serving as a healthy scratch in his lone game.
Andonovski’s journey has seen its share of challenges and development. Early in the previous season, he struggled to find his scoring touch, managing just one empty-net goal in the first 29 games. However, he progressively solidified his role as a bottom-six forward and penalty killer as the season wore on. His contributions were marked not only by goals but also by his physical play, which earned him a team-high 99 penalty minutes by the end of the campaign.

According to WBS Penguins head coach JD Forrest, Andonovski’s aggressive style and ability to excel in penalty-killing situations have been notable strengths. “He’s been contributing a lot to our penalty kill, as well, just with his reads and winning some wall battles and loose puck battles,” Forrest remarked in an interview with Tony Androckitis of The Citizen’s Voice. This performance has instilled confidence within the coaching staff to deploy Andonovski in crucial, challenging situations on the ice.
Seth Rorabaugh of the Tribune Review highlighted Andonovski as a player who has garnered favor within the Penguins organization, particularly under the stewardship of the Hextall regime. His consistent presence in the WBS Penguins’ lineup during the latter part of the 2023-24 season underscored his growing importance within the team structure.
Despite Andonovski’s solidification in the AHL, his path to an NHL debut remains unclear heading into the upcoming season. With other prospects like Sam Poulin vying for roster spots, Andonovski may need to continue honing his skills and maintaining his physical edge to position himself favorably for a potential call-up. His role as a physical presence and penalty-killing specialist could make him a viable option for the Penguins should injuries thin out the roster during the season.
The one-year contract extension signifies a vote of confidence from the Penguins’ management in Andonovski’s development and potential. As he continues to refine his game and push towards achieving his NHL aspirations, Andonovski remains a key figure in the Penguins’ developmental pipeline, poised to contribute both on and off the ice in the seasons to come