Penguins
Pending FA Puustinen Re-Ups With Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed winger Valtteri Puustinen to a two-year contract with an AAV of $775,000, the team announced Friday.
Puustinen, 24, was on his entry-level contract the past two seasons and would have been eligible for Group 6 unrestricted free agency this summer. His new contract runs through the 2025-26 season.
The outgoing winger split the 2023-24 season between the Penguins and their American Hockey League affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. At the NHL level, he moved around the lineup and had five goals, 20 points in 52 games to lead all rookies on the team.
Puustinen currently is with Team Finland at the IIHF World Championships in Czechia along with Penguins teammate Jesse Puljujarvi. Puustinen won a silver medal with Finland at the 2019 World Junior Championships.
Originally drafted by the Penguins in the seventh round at the 2019 NHL draft, Puustinen played three seasons with HPK of Liga, Finland’s top pro league.
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Great contract, this kid has a lot of potential.
Good, cheap deal for a young guy who showed great flashes (and if he starts to slump it’s a two-way).
I hope I’m wrong, but to me Puusty=Nylander=Kapanen. He’s 24 and hasn’t made an impact in the NHL. Like the other two, there is always someone better. I don’t think he gets a shot in the top-six and that’s where he needs to be.
There is talent there to work with – excellent shot and speed, isn’t afraid to bang bodies. Good signing.
2 way, interesting. Mgmt isnt completely sold yet.
Nope, it’s 2-year, not 2-way, it’s a one-way contract that pay him the same even if he is demoted to the AHL