Ville Koivunen’s New Chapter with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Ville Koivunen, a talented 21-year-old forward, is set to make waves with the Pittsburgh Penguins after a significant trade involving Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith to the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to Koivunen, the Penguins received Vasily Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius, Michael Bunting, and two 2024 NHL Draft picks.
Koivunen’s tenure with Finland’s Karpat showcased his skill, contributing 56 points last season. Despite the pressure of filling big shoes, Koivunen remains unfazed, stating, “Maybe when the season starts, maybe then. But not yet.” Assistant GM Jason Spezza praised Koivunen’s hockey sense and playmaking ability, emphasizing the need to enhance his skating pace for the faster AHL and NHL.
Eager to continue his progression, Koivunen joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for postseason play, collecting a goal and an assist in two games. He acknowledges the challenges but remains committed to working hard, eyeing an eventual spot in the NHL. “I want to play in the NHL,” he said. “It’s going to be a long way, but I’ll work hard.”
