Penguins Sign Third-Round Draft Pick Emil Pieniniemi

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Emil Pieniniemi, their third-round draft pick in the NHL Draft last month, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Pieniniemi, 18, is 6-foot-2, 176 pounds and played one game with Karpat in Liiga, Finland’s top league, last season. He spent most of 2023-24 with Karpat’s under-18 and under-20 clubs.

He has four goals and 18 assists in 65 games with Karpat’s under-20 team over the past two seasons.

Pieniniemi is the first member of the Penguins’ most recent draft class to sign with them.