Breaking: NHL draft pick will not sign with the team that drafted him.

In a situation very reminiscent to the one that saw forward Jimmy Vesey refuse to sign with the Nashville Predators year, another former National Hockey League draft pick is expected to reject the team that drafted him.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman is now reporting that Blaine Byron, a 22-year-old center that played for University of Maine in 2016-2017, is looking to head to free agency rather than sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins selected Byron in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and now there is speculation that the big college free agent signing from the Penguins organization earlier this week may have played a role in his decision.

Likely for Byron this is a question of looking for a team that will give him the best shot at making the NHL roster quickly, and preferably with a significant role in the line up. There's been no word yet on what teams may be in the mix for Byron here.

Byron had 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points in 38 games this season.

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