C/W Ville Koivunen - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2021, 51st, CAR, traded to PIT)

[AhosDatsyukian]

I think he can become a solid 2nd line winger in the NHL. He’s wasting away in the AHL though

 

[Turin]

I think he can become a solid 2nd line winger in the NHL. He’s wasting away in the AHL though

He literally just got to NA I fail to see how this is true.

 

[WickedWrister]

I think he can become a solid 2nd line winger in the NHL. He’s wasting away in the AHL though

He's 21 years old and in his first AHL season. If the Penguins continue to decline and sell off some of their forwards (Rakell/Bunting/Rust) he could get the call up this year. He might get it anyway if there's another injury in the top 6.

 

[Jacob]

Nice one.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

He literally just got to NA I fail to see how this is true.

The Pens are not contenders and should have had him up in the NHL all year. Just my opinion

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Leading the AHL in rookie points

51gp 17g. 31a. 48pts. 44pims

impressive stat line for his first season in North America

 

[lakai17]

The Pens are not contenders and should have had him up in the NHL all year. Just my opinion

The AHL benefits his development opposed to limited minutes with the big club.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

The AHL benefits his development opposed to limited minutes with the big club.

I’m personally not a fan of the AHL as a developmental league and just disagree here. It’d be one thing if the Pens had a loaded and competitive contending roster, but they don’t. He should’ve been getting middle 6 minutes in the NHL all year, which would’ve been great for his development. But again, that’s just my opinion.

 

[mattihp]

I’m personally not a fan of the AHL as a developmental league and just disagree here. It’d be one thing if the Pens had a loaded and competitive contending roster, but they don’t. He should’ve been getting middle 6 minutes in the NHL all year, which would’ve been great for his development. But again, that’s just my opinion.

For Finnish players it is pretty much proven to have them looking at flights home as extended time there brings them longer from the NHL

 

[PanniniClaus]

I’m personally not a fan of the AHL as a developmental league and just disagree here. It’d be one thing if the Pens had a loaded and competitive contending roster, but they don’t. He should’ve been getting middle 6 minutes in the NHL all year, which would’ve been great for his development. But again, that’s just my opinion.

There is no better league in the World to develop in but yes, a large percentage of Europeans will not stay for long. Nothing wrong with a full AHL season and hopefully some playoff hockey. Crack the squad next year.

 

[lakai17]

I’m personally not a fan of the AHL as a developmental league and just disagree here. It’d be one thing if the Pens had a loaded and competitive contending roster, but they don’t. He should’ve been getting middle 6 minutes in the NHL all year, which would’ve been great for his development. But again, that’s just my opinion.

Koivunen would be buried on the bottom 6, limited minutes with plugs. Hence their standings. That does nothing for his development. He has more talent than the bottom 6 currently yes, which doesn't say much frankly. I do believe he'll get his feet wet this season but he's going to have all the opportunity to make the roster come September.

 

[Jacob]

Penguins have a lot of forwards signed next year, most of whom might just be too bad to move, and Ponomarev who has to clear waivers to go down, plus maybe Hallander coming back over. Koivunen might need to be patient. He should get at least a call-up soon though.