Josh Yohe Reveals Stunning Penguins Opening Night Decision Involving Ville Koivunen

Rookie right winger Ville Koivunen is "a lock to start the season" on the Penguins' opening-night roster, The Athletic's Josh Yohe writes.

The 2021 second-round choice made a splash last spring with an eight-game call-up, accumulating seven assists and a point-per-game pace. His waiver-exempt status, however, left him exposed to roster juggling as Pittsburgh relied on veterans.

Where Koivunen fits into the lineup is to be determined. He logged top-six minutes in his first season, skating with either Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust or Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell.

His current projections have him on the wing alongside Malkin, with newly traded Anthony Mantha on the other.

His chance was made more clear when elite prospect Rutger McGroarty showed up at camp with an indefinite upper-body condition. In McGroarty's absence, Koivunen fills in on a valued role that was presumed to be fought over by the duo.

As the Penguins' rebuild continues and veterans such as Rakell or Rust soon become trade chips, Koivunen's hold on a top-six role can only become tighter.

The Finnish winger has developed quickly since arriving in the Jake Guentzel trade with Carolina at the 2024 deadline.

Following a 56-point campaign in Finland's Liiga, he acclimated to North America with ease, leading AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in scoring with 56 points in 63 games.

Though still considered the organization's No. 2 prospect behind McGroarty, Koivunen now has a legitimate opportunity to erase the "prospect" tag entirely.

For the Penguins, his arrival is timely and imperative. With a veteran core that's getting older and an unclear playoff future, Koivunen is no longer a long shot to make the team, but possibly a building block to improve the team around.