Penguins Take a Chance on Former Bruins Prospect Koppanen, Two-Year Deal

It certainly won’t be a splashy deal that makes headlines today, but the Pittsburgh Penguins signed former Boston Bruins prospect Joona Koppanen to a two-year deal, with the second year being a one-way NHL deal.

Koppanen, 25, was the Bruins fifth-round pick in 2016. The LW made his NHL debut last season and scored one assist in five games. The deal should bolster the scoring depth for the WBS Penguins. Last season, the 6-foot-5 winger from Finland scored 35 points (12-23-35) in 64 games.

He was also a member of Team Finland for the 2018 World Junior Championships, scoring four points (3-1-4) in five games.

Kopanen will make $450,000 in the minors and $775,000 in the NHL next season. The second year of his deal is an NHL deal, and will pay him $775,000 regardless if he plays in the NHL or AHL. He cleared waivers last October on the eve of the regular season.

Colleague Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now told PHN that Koppanen is big but slower. He’s not been especially effective during his Bruins tenure.