Penguins re-sign Ville Koivunen to eight-year contract

Koivunen became a restricted free agent on July 1 after his three-year, entry-level contract came to an end this past season. That deal, which he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in August 2021, had an NHL AAV of $880,000.

It’s a rather surprising move made by Dubas and the Penguins. While Koivunen is viewed by many as a promising young winger, expected to be an everyday NHLer in the future, he has yet to truly prove himself on the big stage. He was originally taken by the Hurricanes in the second round, 51st overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft. However, he never had a chance to play in Carolina’s system, as he was part of the trade that sent him and Michael Bunting, among other assets, to the Penguins in exchange for Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith ahead of the trade deadline during the 2023-24 season.

Since coming to the Pens organization, he has split time between Pittsburgh and its American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. After playing just eight games for the big club in 2024-25, the Oulu, Finland native appeared in 39 games this past year, potting two goals and five assists for seven points. He registered a plus/minus of -10 while averaging 12:44 of ice time.

Koivunen wasn’t in the lineup with the Penguins during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, he was with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. After posting an impressive 41 points in 34 games during the regular season, the 23-year-old notched four goals and nine points in 15 contests during the Calder Cup Playoffs. He was a key part of helping the Baby Pens make it all the way to the Eastern Conference final, ultimately losing to the eventual Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies.

Given that he has yet to play a full NHL season, it seems strange that the Penguins would give the young Finn such a long-term contract. That said, Dubas might see something in him that’s worth locking him down now rather than later.

In 47 NHL contests, Koivunen has scored two goals and 14 points. In 109 regular-season games in the AHL, he has posted 35 goals and 98 points, with another 13 points in 19 postseason affairs.