Penguins sign Ville Koivunen to eight-year, $4M AAV deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed 23-year-old forward Ville Koivunen to a long-term contract extension, committing to the young player for eight years at an average annual value of $4 million. The deal, announced by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas on August 6, will keep Koivunen with the franchise through the 2033-34 season.

Koivunen, a restricted free agent, joined the Penguins organization in March 2024 as part of the trade that sent veteran winger Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. In his first full season with Pittsburgh during the 2025-26 campaign, Koivunen recorded two goals and five assists across 39 NHL games. He demonstrated significant offensive potential in the American Hockey League, however, tallying 41 points in just 34 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and earning a spot on the 2025 AHL All-Rookie Team.

The substantial contract represents a notable investment in a player with limited NHL production to date, a move that has generated mixed reactions. The organization has expressed confidence that Koivunen’s development trajectory and his prior success in professional leagues in Finland and the AHL justify the...