Penguins Sign Exciting Forward Prospect to Big 8-Year Contract
Newsweek · C · trust 51/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping one of their top prospects around for a long time.
The Penguins announced on Thursday that they have signed forward Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract. Starting next season, the 23-year-old forward will have an average annual value of $4 million.
Koivunen appeared in 39 games last season with Pittsburgh, where he recorded two goals and seven points. He also posted 13 goals and 41 points in 34 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2025-26 season.
While Koivunen is still looking to develop himself into a full-time NHL player, it is clear that the Penguins have a lot of confidence in him. This is a great payday for Koivunen, and the Penguins will now be hoping that he can emerge as a key part of their forward group.
When noting that Koivunen is a skilled forward with a lot of potential, it would not be surprising if he took a big step for the Penguins next season. The potential for the 2021 second-round pick to become an impactful top-six forward is there, and it will be intriguing to see if he does just that after landing this massive long-term deal from Pittsburgh.
In 47 career NHL games over two seasons with Pittsburgh, Koivunen has recorded two goals and 14 points. He was acquired by Pittsburgh during the 2023-24 season as part of the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes.
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