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CRANBERRY, Pa. — Ville Koivunen could face heightened expectations with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 21-year-old forward was acquired in a high-profile trade on March 7 that sent forward Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ty Smith to the Carolina Hurricanes. Koivunen came to the Penguins with fellow forward prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Cruz Lucius, forward Michael Bunting and two picks in the 2024 NHL Draft.

In his rookie year of 2017, Guentzel emerged as a valuable asset for Pittsburgh, contributing to their Stanley Cup victory. Prior to his trade, the skilled left winger, predominantly aligned with center Sidney Crosby on the first line, accumulated an impressive total of 466 points (219 goals and 247 assists) across 503 regular-season games.

Despite being seen as a crucial asset in the Penguins’ return, Koivunen does not currently feel any pressure.

Koivunen stated on July 6 that they do not currently feel any pressure, at least during the summer. They mentioned that the pressure may come when the season begins, but for now, it is not a concern.

While Koivunen, hailing from Oulu, Finland, was in a deep slumber, the news of the trade was suddenly revealed through a notification in a group chat.

“I was taken aback,” exclaimed Koivunen, the 51st pick by the Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Draft. “What’s unfolding at this moment?” After a couple of hours, my excitement soared as I realized the significance of being a part of this esteemed organization.”

During the last season, Koivunen, with a height of 6 feet and weighing 172 pounds, achieved an impressive performance in the top professional hockey league in Finland, Liiga. In 59 regular-season games with Karpat, he accumulated a total of 56 points, consisting of 22 goals and 34 assists. Additionally, Koivunen contributed significantly to the team’s success in the postseason, earning 13 points from five goals and eight assists in 12 games. This displayed a notable improvement compared to his previous season, where he garnered 28 points from 12 goals and 16 assists in 52 regular-season games in 2022-23.

During the previous postseason, Koivunen became a member of the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team, participating in two games and contributing with one goal and one assist.

Koivunen stated that his time playing professionally in the AHL and Finland has been extremely valuable.

“Of course, it’s always a bit more challenging,” Koivunen remarked. “Men are generally strong and wise, making fewer mistakes. Nevertheless, it’s enjoyable.”

Assistant general manager Jason Spezza expressed that the Penguins were highly impressed by Koivunen’s hockey sense during his brief time in the AHL.

According to Spezza, he believes that he has a deep understanding and strategic approach to the game. He has the ability to deceive defenders with slight movements, making him a formidable force on the power play when attacking aggressively. Additionally, he excels in making rapid plays. However, Spezza suggests that an essential aspect of his growth would be improving his speed and strength in skating.

“In comparison to Finland, the American (Hockey) League and the NHL have a slightly faster pace, which means the rink closes in on you more quickly. Therefore, we will assist him in adapting to this change. However, what really excites us is his exceptional hockey IQ.”

Koivunen’s desire is to further his progression in the NHL.

However, Koivunen acknowledges that waiting is an integral part of the process, just like other elements of the game.

Koivunen expressed his desire to play in the NHL, stating that it is a common goal for everyone present. He acknowledged that achieving this dream would require dedicated effort and consistently performing well. Although aware of the challenges ahead, Koivunen committed to putting in the necessary hard work.