The One Prospect Penguins Fans Aren't Talking About, But Should Be

Ville Koivunen definitely made a statement in his first North American pro season. The 22-year-old Finnish winger was so good that he was even rewarded with a nod to the 2024-25 AHL All-Rookie Team after a breakout season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Ville Koivunen finished with 21 goals and 35 assists for 56 points, pacing Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in assists, points, power-play assists, and power-play points.

His 56-point season is fifth all-time behind WBS rookies, while his 35 assists put him in fifth place. Koivunen was honored as AHL Rookie of the Month for January after he notched 14 points in 12 games, including two hat-trick performances.

He was the lone Eastern Conference representative to capture this year's All-Rookie Team as part of a select company that includes forwards Justin Hryckowian and Bradly Nadeau, defencemen Luca Cagnoni and Tristan Luneau, and goalie Nikke Kokko, all of whom are expected to have great NHL futures.

If Koivunen keeps this up, he will definitely be making noise for many years down the road in Pittsburgh.

Brought into Pittsburgh in the March 2024 trade that saw Carolina acquire Jake Guentzel, Koivunen is even being compared to having a similar style to the aforementioned Jake Guentzel.

Just like with Guentzel, he's been rewarded with an AHL All-Rookie team selection as a Penguin, and he's proving that he very well may be one of the foundations of Pittsburgh's future.

After his NHL call-up, Koivunen made his Penguins debut on March 30 vs. Ottawa against the Senators and has finished the season with seven assists in just eight games.

With a calm, playmaker's eye and ability to see holes at times around the power play, he's been one of pro hockey's most intriguing young men, and should he continue to set up his teammates the way he did to finish last season, there is no reason why he won't be a part of the rebuild in Pittsburgh next season.