Pittsburgh Penguins Lose Standout Defensive Prospect to Major Injury: Out Long-Term

One Pittsburgh Penguins prospect got unwelcome news this week. Joona Vaisanen, a standout defenseman at Western Michigan, will reportedly be out long-term due to an injury that he sustained, as reported by NHL insider Matt Vensel.

The Penguins picked Vaisanen in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and watched him become an important player for a Western Michigan team that won the NCAA championship last season.

The right-shot defender had 26 points and a plus-24 rating in 42 games, truly showcasing his potential. The 21-year-old native of Finland, who is now listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, had six assists in seven games so far this season.

The Penguins hope the injury will just be a speed bump for the smooth-skating defenseman, who could be a candidate to go pro next season and finally make the jump to the NHL.

The Penguins are full of injuries as of late, and one that is a tough pill to swallow is that of Tristan Jarry, who has been having a breakout season after struggling the last couple of years.

But with Jarry out, top goalie prospect Sergei Murashov is expected to get his first NHL start this weekend. Without a doubt, fans are pretty pumped about the 21-year-old Russian. Murasho was practically unbeatable in the AHL this calendar year.

Murashov may perform at a high level right from the jump. He has a ton of talent and even more poise for someone as young as him. There is also a chance everything could be too much too soon for him; however, history proves otherwise.