The Pittsburgh Penguins are betting on the upside of Ville Koivunen.
The 23-year-old forward has signed an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $4 million with the Penguins. The club announced the signing of the restricted free agent on Thursday.
Koivunen has played just 47 career NHL games, registering two goals and 12 assists.
A second-round pick (51st overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Draft, Koivunen was traded to the Penguins at the 2024 trade deadline as part of the Jake Guentzel deal.
The Finnish forward made his NHL debut the year after the trade, notching seven assists in eight games with the Penguins in 2024-25.
Koivunen split time between the Penguins and their AHL Wilkes-Barre Scranton affiliate last season.
He had two goals and five assists in 39 NHL games and 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in 34 AHL games.
Koivunen was a two-time member of Finland's world junior team.
