Penguins Recall Ville Koivunen, Evgeni Malkin Day-To-Day
The Penguins announced that they’ve recalled winger Ville Koivunen from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. His elevation to the roster is connected with an upper-body injury to star Evgeni Malkin, whom the club said is day-to-day and has been ruled out for tonight’s game versus the Avalanche.
With Kevin Hayes not dressing for a contest since March 3, it appears Koivunen will slot right back into the lineup as Pittsburgh’s third-line left wing alongside Benjamin Kindel and Justin Brazeau. Anthony Mantha moves up to take Malkin’s place on the right flank on the second line with Egor Chinakhov and Thomas Novak, PuckPedia projects.
Koivunen had just been sent down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday before the Pens’ loss to the Hurricanes. He played for the Baby Pens that night, making him eligible to come back up to rejoin the NHL squad today.
The 22-year-old hasn’t had the season the Penguins hoped for, at least in the NHL. A second-round pick in 2021 by the Hurricanes, subsequently acquired in the Jake Guentzel deal a couple of years back, he’s been a downright elite producer in his native Finland and in the minors over the last few years. After notching seven assists through his first eight NHL contests last year as well, most had him penciled in for an opening night job.
Koivunen initially made the team but hasn’t stuck. He’s been recalled and sent down on a couple of occasions, most recently spending nearly two months in the minors before getting the call back to the NHL at the trade deadline. Across 33 games in Pittsburgh, he’s only averaging 12:38 of ice time per game with a 2-5–7 scoring line and a -5 rating. For a lanky 6’0″ winger with extremely limited physical involvement, if he’s not producing in a top-nine role, there’s little place for him in the lineup. Add in the immense success of Pittsburgh’s depth wingers this season, plus the Pens being outscored 14-10 with him on the ice at 5-on-5, and it’s no surprise that Koivunen hasn’t seen a ton of action lately.
He hasn’t let the lack of an NHL breakthrough this season affect his play in the minors one bit, though. After an All-Rookie Team worthy showing last season, he’s now clicking over a point per game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with an 11-22–33 line in 29 games and a +7 rating. While his time on the roster is likely to last only as long as Malkin’s injury keeps him out, it’s still another chance for Koivunen to make a strong impression on Pittsburgh’s brass as a potential playoff option and to improve his standing entering next season’s training camp.
As for Malkin, it’s not clear what’s keeping him out. He wasn’t limited against the Canes, although he did struggle with a -2 rating in 16:05 of ice time. The lack of an apparent cause is more concerning than not – he missed nearly a month with an upper-body issue earlier in the season, so there’s a chance it’s a reaggravation or continuation of that issue.
The 39-year-old franchise icon remains invaluable, even as he’s been shifted off his natural center slot. His 52 points in 50 games this year are his best pace since before the pandemic and sit fifth on the team in scoring despite all the missed time. The Pens would surely prefer to rest him as much as possible to make sure he gets back to 100% before the playoffs, but with their chances at a favorable but still uncomfortable 77.3%, per MoneyPuck, they don’t have that luxury.
Penguins Sign Bill Zonnon To Entry Level Contract
This afternoon the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that top prospect Bill Zonnon has signed a three-year entry level contract. The 19-year-old will embark on his professional journey after an impressive QMJHL career.
A first round selection in last year’s draft (22nd overall), Zonnon put up 46 points in 35 games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, as he battled injury throughout the campaign. Had he been able to play more, it’s production right on track with his outstanding 2024-25 with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, where he was among the league’s top scorers with 83 points across 64 contests.
Inspired as a youth watching P.K. Subban fly around for the Canadiens, the Montreal native picked up hockey, eventually growing into a 6’2″ frame as a strong power forward able to drive to the net relentlessly. Back in August, Zonnon was listed as the club’s sixth-best prospect by Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff, speaking to their deep prospect pool. Ellis mentioned Zonnon’s intangibles and ability to succeed alongside high-end play drivers, a formula which has worked for the Penguins for many years.
Zonnon has a likely middle-six ceiling with versatility as a key trait. He can contribute on special teams, both on the advantage and on the kill, although needing to iron out his skating mechanics to reach full potential.
It’s an exciting time for Penguins fans, as they’re well on their way to return to the playoffs this spring, while also offering several exciting young players on the rise. Zonnon was one of three first round Penguins last June by GM Kyle Dubas, a draft which gives the franchise the opportunity to set up a new wave of talent. It wasn’t the most fun past few years for Pittsburgh, but they never truly bottomed out, and now find themselves in an enviable position having reversed what seemed like a bleak future.
As they’re in the thick of the playoff hunt, it’s not likely Zonnon will suit up for the big club just yet. However, he’ll be a welcome addition to the fourth-ranked AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who have already secured a playoff spot. They already have a deep forward group, which will allow the rookie to ease into the lineup gradually and adjust to the professional game.
Along with several youngsters who will move their way into Pittsburgh alongside him, Zonnon can learn from the team’s leader in 31-year-old Mathew Dumba, who has over 700 games of NHL experience. All that to say, it’s a great environment for the prospect to enter this spring.
The Penguins have no reason to rush Zonnon into their lineup, as he’ll likely fine tune his game in the AHL in 2026-27. However, the team has several bottom six forwards with expiring contracts, and if he can make enough of an impression, the teenager has the skillset to contribute sooner rather than later.
Latest On Ryan Shea
Ahead of their matinee tilt against Carolina, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse told reporters, including Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports, that Ryan Shea is day-to-day with an apparent facial injury suffered yesterday against Winnipeg.
As a result, Ryan Graves will slot into the lineup today, not having played at the NHL level since January 21. Such is not what you want to see for any 30-year-old making $4.5MM for the next several years, but Shea’s emergence in 2025-26 at just $900k (set to expire this summer) has helped soften the blow considerably. And while Graves’ Penguins tenure has soured, few teams offer such accomplished blueliners as depth.
Drafted back in 2015 by Chicago, Shea was unable to break through for even a single game with the Dallas Stars despite strong AHL production. The 6’1” lefty then caught on with the Penguins in 2023, where he has broken out this year with 28 points in 69 games, his usage jumping to just below 19 minutes a night. As a result, it’s become apparent the 29-year-old late bloomer will be in for a big raise this offseason.
On the other hand, Graves comes back with just one point across 19 games this year. He’s been much more productive in the AHL for Wilkes-Barre with 10 in 15 games, skating in the AHL for the first time since as an Avalanche prospect in 2018-19. The traditional stats don’t look great, but Graves actually offers a solid 52.2% corsi for at five-on-five this season, an improvement over his past Penguins or Devils numbers. If anything, Shea’s performance has played a part in his short leash, playing just 15:29 a contest.
Pittsburgh Penguins Reassign Ville Koivunen
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that forward Ville Koivunen has been reassigned to the team’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Koivunen, 22, was a healthy scratch for Pittsburgh’s last two games. The trickle-down effect of Sidney Crosby‘s return from injury on the rest of the lineup appears to have pushed Koivunen out of head coach Dan Muse’s regular set of forwards. Since the young forward is still a developing player, the Penguins likely prefer he play a regular top-line role in the AHL rather than serve as a regular healthy scratch at the NHL level – hence today’s transaction.
A 2021 second-round pick, Koivunen was acquired by the Penguins as part of the Jake Guentzel deal at the 2024 trade deadline. The Penguins acquired him as he was in the midst of a stellar season with Kärpät in Liiga, one where he scored 56 points in 59 games. Since then, he crossed the Atlantic to join the North American pro ranks full-time, and has been an instant high-end AHL scorer. In 91 career games with the AHL Penguins, Koivunen has scored 32 goals and 89 points.
Koivunen got a taste of NHL action last season and acquitted himself well, scoring seven points in eight games. He looked promising enough for the team at Elite Prospects to rank him the No. 2 prospect in the Penguins’ system entering the season, projected as a likely top-nine forward with top-six upside if things break right in his development.
This season, Koivunen has improved upon his already-stellar track record in the AHL, but found more difficulty than last season’s limited sample at the NHL level. Through 33 games, Koivunen has just seven points, and is averaging 12:38 time on ice per game. That’s not entirely out of the ordinary for a young forward, though, as translating AHL scoring to the NHL level is a difficult task posed to just about every premier AHL scorer whenever they’re called up.
With today’s reassignment, Koivunen will get the chance to string together some productive games at the AHL level, likely with the hope of earning another NHL recall this season. With Pittsburgh likely playoff-bound this year, though, it’s possible Muse may prefer a more experienced player in the NHL role once occupied by Koivunen.
Girard Returns From Undisclosed Injury
- The Penguins welcomed back one of their blueliners today versus Winnipeg as Samuel Girard returned to the lineup after missing five games due to an undisclosed injury. Acquired from Colorado last month, the 27-year-old had been held off the scoresheet in seven games since the swap while averaging 18:25 per game. With Girard returning and the recent returns of Ryan Graves and Jack St. Ivany from conditioning stints, Pittsburgh’s back end is now much deeper with nine players available.
Penguins Sign Gabriel D’Aigle To Entry-Level Deal
The Penguins announced Saturday that they’ve signed goaltender Gabriel D’Aigle to an entry-level deal. It’s a three-year contract, although financial terms were not disclosed. The deal begins next season and will take him through the 2028-29 campaign. He will not join AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or ECHL Wheeling on a tryout yet. His junior season is still ongoing with the QMJHL’s Victoriaville Tigres, who play their final regular-season game today before heading to the playoffs.
D’Aigle, 19, is wrapping up what will likely be his fourth and final junior season with Victoriaville, although he could return next season as an overage player. That’s a rare path, though, and he’s more likely to begin his pro career with the Penguins organization next season, probably in the ECHL. A third-round pick in 2025, Pittsburgh had until next summer to sign him, but elects to do so now. His November birthday is early for his draft class and allowed him to get an extra season of CHL seasoning, so he’s considered an age-20 player next season in the junior league’s eyes and can turn pro without any restrictions.
The Quebec native was once viewed as arguably the top goaltending talent in his class. Coming in at 6’4″ and 212 lbs, he made Canada’s under-18 World Juniors roster as a double-underager in 2023, a team loaded with NHL talent like Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Wood, and Calum Ritchie. His stock was perpetually downhill from there, though. The QMJHL isn’t exactly a goalie/defense-friendly league, but even still, his numbers came in below average. He had just a .879 SV% in 25 games in 2023-24, and had a .883 SV% and a glaring 4.52 GAA in 55 outings as Victoriaville’s starter last season.
The Pens still saw some technical ceiling in D’Aigle’s game through that statistical noise, though, and made him the eighth goaltender off the board in last year’s draft. It looks like that may have been the right call. D’Aigle’s numbers have spiked here in 2025-26 behind a shoddy Victoriaville club, recording a .908 SV% and 3.58 GAA in 39 games with a 14-21-3 record. That save percentage is eighth in the league (min. 30 GP).
D’Aigle is Pittsburgh’s clear-cut #3 goalie prospect behind Sergey Murashov and Joel Blomqvist, though. Even if one of those two (likely Murashov) earns an NHL promotion next season if pending UFA Stuart Skinner departs, it’s rare to rush a young goalie drafted outside of the first round or two straight from juniors to an AHL role. Even top prospects coming out of juniors compared to NCAA or Europe – the Red Wings’ Sebastian Cossa is a recent example – get a year of ECHL seasoning to adjust to pro competition before landing an AHL role. D’Aigle won’t grade out any higher than #5 on Pittsburgh’s goaltending depth chart to start next season as a result.
Penguins Recall Ryan Graves From Conditioning Stint
The Penguins announced they’ve recalled defenseman Ryan Graves from his conditioning stint to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. For now, he remains on injured reserve.
It wasn’t clear why Graves had been out of the lineup for well over a month when Pittsburgh sent him for his conditioning stint a week ago today. He was on the active roster after recovering from a lower-body injury and being reinstated from IR in early February, but he hasn’t played since. Instead, it appears he’s either still working his way back from that initial issue or sustained a new, undisclosed one, as he landed back on IR to allow him a conditioning stint. Regular conditioning loans are prohibited after the trade deadline; only those related to long-term injuries are permitted.
Graves suited up twice for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, so it appears he should be good to go and should be activated off IR soon. Now in year three of the regrettable six-year, $27MM deal he landed with the Pens in free agency in 2023, he cleared waivers earlier this season and, when healthy, has split time between Pittsburgh and WBS. After a horrid showing in a full-time roster role last season, he’s had improved impacts as an #8/9 piece who can occasionally jump into a bottom-pairing role. He’s averaged 15:29 of ice time per game across 19 contests for the Pens this season with one goal and a -2 rating. His 52.2% shot attempt share at 5-on-5 is his best since the 2020-21 season.
He’s also been an impact player in the minors, where he has 10 points and a +4 rating in 15 games for the Baby Pens. It’s likely too much to expect him to return to being the top-four fixture Pittsburgh hoped he could be, but injury troubles aside, this season has been a step in the right direction for Graves’ play. Unless cap space becomes a concern, it wouldn’t be all too surprising to see him back on the opening night roster in the fall as a bottom-pairing or #7 piece.
Penguins Reassign Avery Hayes
The Penguins announced Thursday that they’ve reassigned winger Avery Hayes to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The move comes after Sidney Crosby was activated from injured reserve for yesterday’s loss to the Hurricanes, bringing Pittsburgh up to 16 forwards on the active roster. With that obvious excess, they’ll trim a bit here by returning the waiver-exempt Hayes to the minors.
Hayes was scratched in back-to-back games leading up to today’s demotion. He was initially removed from the lineup for Monday’s win over the Avalanche to make way for Evgeni Malkin‘s return to play following a five-game suspension.
The 23-year-old has suited up 11 times for Pittsburgh in his first taste of NHL action this season, scoring twice with a -6 rating. Both of those goals came in his NHL debut against the Sabres back on Feb. 5. Since then, it’s become abundantly clear he needs more development time before he’s serious about competing for a big-league role. He’s averaged 10:37 of ice time per game with some quite hairy possession metrics. Pittsburgh is only controlling 45.3% of shot attempts with Hayes on the ice at 5-on-5 despite him starting 63% of his shifts in the offensive zone.
The 5’10”, 180-lb righty has been one of the better stories in Pittsburgh’s prospect pool. He signed an AHL deal as an undrafted free agent coming out of juniors in 2023 and subsequently broke out for 23 goals and 42 points in 60 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2024-25, leading to him landing an NHL contract for this year. He’s continued to build on that production in the AHL, racking up a 19-11–30 scoring line in 36 games, but simply hasn’t been able to convert his high-energy game into a meaningful NHL impact in limited minutes yet.
Hayes has essentially been on the NHL roster since Feb. 23, but he was sent down to the AHL for a few hours on deadline day to make him eligible to return to the minors down the stretch. Pittsburgh will reap the rewards of that decision today. Even with Kevin Hayes and Blake Lizotte dealing with upper-body issues, they still have youngster Ville Koivunen around as an extra forward, so they’re not at risk of needing to make an emergency recall yet if another forward injury pops up.
Erik Karlsson Leading NHL Defensemen In Scoring Since Olympic Break
- Penguins defender Erik Karlsson was among the most popular names in trade rumors last season. Even as his contract becomes more movable, the Penguins’ success this season has made the idea of holding on to him for the last year of his deal in 2026-27 more attractive. As the Pens’ PR account pointed out this morning, he’s having arguably the most dominant stretch of his career since his days as a yearly Norris contender in Ottawa. He has nine goals and 12 points in his last six outings and leads NHL defensemen in scoring since the Olympic break with a 5-12–17 line in 13 games.
Penguins Expected To Activate Sidney Crosby From IR
Penguins star Sidney Crosby was a full participant in this morning’s skate and is expected to come off injured reserve for tonight’s game against the Hurricanes, per Josh Getzoff of SportsNet Pittsburgh. Crosby had been out since the Olympic break with a Grade 2 MCL sprain he sustained in Team Canada’s quarterfinal win over the Czechs. The Penguins said Crosby would miss at least four weeks when they placed him on IR on Feb. 25, putting his return well ahead of schedule.
The 38-year-old pushing the envelope to get back in the lineup is no surprise. He pushed as hard as he could to get back into Canada’s lineup for the gold medal game, but ultimately couldn’t go, as they ended up with silver in an overtime loss to the United States. He’ll now return to help the Penguins battle through a tough playoff race in the Eastern Conference after sitting out what surely felt like an excruciating 11 games.
Pittsburgh is 5-3-3 without its captain and franchise icon. That’s been enough to keep pace and is about as good as can be expected, considering they were also missing Evgeni Malkin for a five-game stretch due to a slashing suspension. They’ve scored 3.45 goals per game during that time while allowing 3.18 goals per game. Their possession metrics have lagged, controlling 48.5% of 5-on-5 shot attempts. They’re also winning a league-worst 41.0% of faceoffs since the break.
Crosby will help immensely in all of those areas. Aside from his usual stature as the club’s leading point-getter, he’s won a team-high 55.4% of his draws this season, which should get the Pens much closer to league average in that department. Surprisingly, Crosby’s defensive results this season aren’t great – he’s only a +1 on a team with a +35 goal differential, and his possession numbers are dead average – but his return importantly allows Rickard Rakell to shift back to his preferred position on the wing after stepping in for Crosby as the Pens’ top-line center over the last few weeks.
With no roster limit and plenty of cap space, Pittsburgh won’t need to make a corresponding move to activate Crosby. They could still opt to reassign prospects Avery Hayes or Ville Koivunen back to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton if their NHL playing time is going to be limited following Crosby’s return. Hayes was already a healthy scratch when Malkin was reinstated for Monday’s dominant road win over the Avalanche, so that could be an indication he’ll be on his way back down after being ferried to the minors on deadline day to make him AHL-eligible for the rest of the season.
Crosby, who’s got another year left at his $8.7MM cap hit, now hopes to anchor the Pens’ skaters to a playoff appearance after a three-year absence from postseason play, the only time in Crosby’s career he’s missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons and the first time at all since his rookie year. They’re in a good spot, holding serve for second in the Metropolitan Division. They’re tied with the Islanders at 83 points but have done so in one fewer game, giving them a higher points percentage. Per MoneyPuck, they have an 81.8% chance of making the playoffs.