The NHL offseason has seen several notable signings, including the Philadelphia Flyers pushing the Anaheim Ducks to pay a premium for Leo Carlsson, Patrick Kane reuniting with the Chicago Blackhawks, and Macklin Celebrini securing a lucrative contract with the San Jose Sharks. However, the most attention-grabbing deal came from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins signed Ville Koivunen, a Finnish forward with 47 career games, to an eight-year, $32 million contract. Last season, he recorded seven points, with two goals and five assists, in 39 games. It’s a surprising move considering his NHL stats, yet Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas saw potential worth investing in.
This decision marks a significant gamble, given his annual average value (AAV) of $4 million. Koivunen’s limited performance in the NHL contrasts with his strong showings in the AHL. Playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he amassed 41 points, with 13 goals and 28 assists, in just 34 games last year. Additionally, his play in Finland’s SM-liiga demonstrated his abilities at a high level.
Although his NHL numbers raise questions, the Penguins are betting on his potential. The organization appears keen on keeping him long-term, seeing promise in his development. Nevertheless, the sizable contract might become burdensome if his production in the NHL fails to improve.
With veteran core players like Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Sidney Crosby still on the roster, the Penguins might feel the time is right to take such a risk. However, if Koivunen’s performance does not meet expectations, offloading the contract could prove challenging.