Ville Koivunen - NHL News & Rumors

"Not everyone in the org was thrilled" - Penguins insider claims team torn over decision to hand Ville Koivunen 8-year deal The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't have complete agreement on Ville Koivunen's new contract, according to The Athletic's Josh Yohe.

AUGUST 19 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Penguins reportedly divided over GM Kyle Dubas' $32M Ville Koivunen gamble The Penguins' $32 million commitment to Ville Koivunen has reportedly divided opinions inside Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 19 • BOLAVIP.COM

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas shares his reasoning behind handing Ville Koivunen eight-year contract Ville Koivunen's new eight-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins wasn't based solely on what he has done so far.

AUGUST 7 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Penguins GM sees 'low risk, high reward' in Ville Koivunen's 8-year contract Pittsburgh Penguins see Ville Koivunen's eight-year deal as a gamble.

AUGUST 7 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Signs eight-year deal Koivunen agreed to terms on an eight-year, $32 million contract with Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Impact Considering Koivunen has logged just 47 career games in the NHL, the term on his new deal is somewhat surprising. The 23-year-old winger should be in the mix for an Opening Night roster spot heading into the 2026-27 campaign, but he could still end up in the minors at some point, making him a somewhat risky fantasy option.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Earns three points Saturday Koivunen scored twice and added an assist in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 8-1 win over Springfield in Game 5 on Saturday.

Impact Koivunen hadn't earned a point in the first four games of the series. He broke out to get WBS to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 3-2 series win. Koivunen has produced three goals and four assists across nine playoff contests this year.

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Collects three points Koivunen scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 4-1 win over Bridgeport on Friday.

Impact Koivunen came back to the AHL after the end of Pittsburgh's regular season. He's earned 39 points across 33 appearances for the Baby Pens. The Finnish forward will get to play regularly throughout the AHL postseason rather than filling a depth role during the NHL playoffs.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down Wednesday Koivunen was returned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

Impact Koivunen has been struggling offensively of late, going 12 games without finding the back of the net while registering just eight shots and two helpers. Unless there is an injury among the Pens' forward group, Koivunen will be hard-pressed to make his way back to the NHL.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Called up from AHL Koivunen was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

Impact Koivunen had two goals and seven points in 36 NHL games before he was sent to the minors at the end of March. Koivunen has played well at the AHL level this season, tallying 11 goals and 25 assists in 32 games.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Drops to minors Koivunen was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday, per the AHL transactions log.

Impact Koivunen got into three games with Pittsburgh after being promoted last Tuesday, but he was a healthy scratch Monday on Long Island. The Finnish winger has produced over a point per game with the minor-league affiliate this season, generating 11 goals and 33 points across 29 outings.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Back up with big club Koivunen was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.

Impact Koivunen is back up with the big club as a result of Evgeni Malkin (upper body) being unavailable against the Avalanche on Tuesday. Koivunen is poised to skate in a bottom-six role against the Avs, as he worked on the third line with Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau during Tuesday's morning skate.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to AHL Koivunen was loaned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday.

Impact Koivunen has collected two goals, seven points, 32 shots on net and 13 blocked shots in 33 NHL appearances this season. He also has 11 goals and 33 points across 28 AHL outings during the 2025-26 campaign.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Set for call up Koivunen is being recalled ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Flyers, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

Impact Koivunen could be immediately pressed into service for the Penguins' upcoming back-to-back, depending on how long Evgeni Malkin is suspended. In his previous 27 games with Pittsburgh this year, the 22-year-old winger notched two goals and three assists, including a trio of power-play points.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Gets monthly honors Koivunen was named the AHL's Player of the Month on Monday.

Impact Koivunen scored six goals and added 10 assists in 11 contests for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during February. The 22-year-old has picked up five points over 27 outings in the NHL this season, but his success in the AHL suggests he should be pushing for a full-time gig in Pittsburgh as soon as next season.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies twice in AHL win Koivunen scored twice in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 7-2 win over Springfield on Wednesday.

Impact Koivunen has four goals and six assists over his last five games. He's earned four multi-point efforts in that span. The Finnish forward is up to nine goals, 29 points and a plus-10 rating over 23 AHL appearances this season. He's also put up five points in 27 NHL contests and could be a candidate for a call-up later in the season.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Earns three points in AHL win Koivunen scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 6-5 win over Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Impact Koivunen didn't do a lot after his demotion to the AHL in January, but he has picked up the pace with two goals and six assists over his last six games. He's at six goals, 22 points and 29 shots on net through 19 AHL outings this season. The 22-year-old will get future looks in the NHL, but it's unclear if he'll get another call-up this season after posting just five points in 27 contests with Pittsburgh.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to minors Koivunen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.

Impact Koivunen found the back of the net against the Blue Jackets on Sunday, but that was his first goal since Dec. 4 against the Lightning, a stretch of 10 games without a goal. With the addition of Yegor Chinakhov, the 22-year-old Koivunen would have had a hard time breaking into the lineup now that Evgeni Malkin (upper body) is back, so the decision to move him to the Baby Pens, where he can fill a top-six role, certainly makes sense for his long-term development.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring Sunday Koivunen scored a goal in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact Koivunen returned to the lineup after two games as a healthy scratch. He scored his first goal in a month after being limited to one assist over his prior 10 appearances. The 22-year-old winger has five points, 28 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 27 contests this season, primarily as a bottom-six forward.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Crosby sets up late tying goal, scores in OT in Penguins' 5-4 victory over Blue Jackets

Sidney Crosby set up Ricard Rakell’s tying goal with 13.7 seconds left in regulation, then scored at 2:22 of overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 5-4 comeback victory over th...

JANUARY 4 • Associated Press

First NHL goal Koivunen scored a goal Thursday in a 4-3 win over the Lightning.

Impact It was his first NHL goal. Koivunen took a pass from Kris Letang and scored from the high slot on the power play to put the Pens up 1-0. It came in his 24th game.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

A Moment in the Making: Koivunen Scores First NHL Goal | Pittsburgh Penguins In the first period of Thursday’s 4-3 win over Tampa Bay, Ville Koivunen scored his first career NHL goal off a beautiful shot from the left...

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • NHL.COM

Malkin breaks late tie with 2nd goal of game, Penguins beat Lightning 4-3

Evgeni Malkin scored his second goal of the game with 2:43 left and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Thursday night for their fourth victory in five game...

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Returning against Sabres Koivunen (lower body) will be in action versus Buffalo on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Koivunen has underwhelmed this season, generating just two points in 11 appearances. If the 22-year-old winger continues to struggle offensively, he could find himself heading down to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to rediscover his offensive game. With Koivunen back in the lineup, teenager Ben Kindel will serve as a healthy scratch against the Sabres on Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for contact Koivunen (lower body) has been medically cleared for contact, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports Monday.

Impact Koivunen didn't participate in line rushes at Monday's practice, but seems to be trending in the right direction ahead of Wednesday's clash with the Sabres. Even if the 22-year-old winger is ready to play versus Buffalo, he could find himself serving as a healthy scratch in favor of Tristan Broz, who was recalled from the minors Monday.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for injured reserve Koivunen (lower body) is considered week-to-week and has been placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Koivunen was injured while playing in the Global Series against Nashville and is not facing some time on the shelf. The 22-year-old winger has yet to find the back of the net this year, recording just two assists, 13 shots and seven blocks in 11 outings. Sam Poulin was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a corresponding move.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Crosby sets up late tying goal, scores in OT in Penguins' 5-4 victory over Blue Jackets

Malkin breaks late tie with 2nd goal of game, Penguins beat Lightning 4-3