Penguins forward prospect Filip Hallander has agreed to a contract extension with his Swedish Hockey League Club Lulea for the 2020-21 season, Lulea announced on Thursday.
Hallander, the Penguins' second-round pick in 2018 signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins in July 2018. The contract didn't take effect yet as Hallander returned to the SHL for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons
Hallander's agreement with Lulea this week allows him to train with Lulea over the summer and then attend Penguins training camp. If Hallander does not make the Penguins' NHL roster, the plan is for him to return to Sweden for the 2020-21 season, rather than play in the AHL.
"The goal is so clear to take an NHL spot with the Pittsburgh Penguins," Hallander said in a Swedish team release. "But if it does not happen in the coming season, it feels great to get back to Lulea Hockey to build on what we did well last season."
Hallander and Lulea were the regular season champions in the SHL before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak. Hallander finished with five goals and nine assists in 27 games after missing three months with a fractured foot.
"While we wish Filip all the best in the hunt for an NHL place, it feels great that we already agree that he will play for us next season if it does not," said Lulea assistant general manager Ulf Engman. "Last season Filip came back in a fantastic way from his injury and we both have high hopes and expectations of what he could achieve with us next season."
