Once a piece of the Jake Guentzel trade, Ville Koivunen has turned into a rising name in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. A former second-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, Ville Koivunen was one of the bigger names Pittsburgh received for trading away their star winger. The Penguins already face a dearth of quality offensive depth up front this year. Additionally, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, two of the Penguins’ best wingers, are still in trade talks. With such a drop in quality talent, there exists an opportunity for younger players to cement a spot on the roster. Ville Koivunen is one such candidate primed to break out with their help this season.
Koivunen and the Penguins
How Ville Koivunen Came to be a Pittsburgh Penguin
A 2021 second-round pick drafted 51st overall, the 22-year-old Finnish wing spent much of his junior years in Finland. Koivunen impressed in Karpat of the Liiga in Finland. He scored 29 points, including 11 goals in 53 games throughout his draft year. Following the draft, Koivunen put together another strong campaign. He scored 12 goals and 28 points while going from a plus-minus of minus-11 to plus-9. He did not get much time in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves in 2023-24. But he shone when given the chance with the Penguins minor team.
In the 2024-25 season, Ville Koivunen was an important part of a revitalized Wilkes-Barre squad. Playing alongside notable Penguins prospects Rutger McGroarty, Owen Pickering and Tristan Broz, Koivunen was third in league scoring. He scored 21 goals and 56 points in 63 games, trailing the top point-getter by four points. Additionally, Koivunen showed chemistry with fellow Penguins top prospect Rutger McGroarty. While getting off to a rough start, McGroarty’s chemistry with Koivunen led to a strong finish, with 39 points through 60 games.
An Impressive North American Debut in 2024-25
General Manager Kyle Dubas spent much of the 2024-25 season gutting the Penguins of depth. They moved out forwards Lars Eller, Drew O’Connor, Michael Bunting, Anthony Beauvillier and Cody Glass in various moves throughout the year. While they did acquire younger forwards Phillip Tomasino and Connor Dewar, the Penguins’ depth was bare. This set the stage for both Koivunen and McGroarty to get their chances at the NHL level. Here, Koivunen really shone. To end the 2024-25 season, Ville Koivunen played in eight games with the Penguins. In these eight games, he showed speed, tenacity, and the willingness to play with finesse or grit. Eager to make the most of this opportunity, the 22-year-old scored seven assists across these eight games. It was an impressive debut for the rookie forward. As Koivunen showed chemistry with the younger Penguins and found success with the club’s veterans as well.
A New Season and Even More Development
To cap off his impressive rookie season in North America, Ville Koivunen was named to the AHL’s all-rookie team for 2025. Coming into training camp, Koivunen has continued to impress. He’s shown poise throughout the preseason. The preseason has featured prospects like Koivunen and Harisson Brunicke fighting for a spot on the roster. In these appearances, Koivunen has continued to shine. Through two appearances, Koivunen has scored a goal and an assist, driving the offence and showing chemistry with veteran winger Rickard Rakell.
The Pittsburgh Penguins depth chart going into 2025-26 is weak as it is. Additionally, there are a number of rumours that either one of, or even both of Rakell and Rust could be moved. This would open even more doors for a winger in Koivunen that’s already one of the more skilled players who could lineup with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Going into 2025-26, look for Ville Koivunen to continue his development into the impact forward the Kyle Duas and the Penguins hoped he would be when he was included in the Guentzel trade. With a fantastic veteran group, Ville Koivunen is set to breakout in 2025-26.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire- Imagn Images
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