Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Ville Koivunen is easily one of the team's most promising youngsters. The 22-year-old forward had a strong start to his NHL career this past season with Pittsburgh, as he recorded seven assists in eight games. He also performed well down in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2024-25, posting 21 goals and 56 points in 63 games. 

After a season like this, there is no question that Koivunen has created more hype surrounding him. With the Penguins retooling, Koivunen is certainly one of the prospects who they will be hoping can become a big part of their future.

Due to this and the way Koivunen played this past season, the Penguins should seriously consider giving him a chance to play in their top six for an extended period of time this season. His offensive skill and upside could make him a great fit in Pittsburgh's top six. Furthermore, playing on a line with a veteran center like Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin could do wonders for Koivunen's development.

Ultimately, with the potential Koivunen has, the Penguins should not be afraid to give him a real shot in their top six next season. It will be intriguing to see if they end up doing just that from here. 

Penguins Forward Named Top Breakout Candidate The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering this upcoming season with plenty of players to keep an eye on. With the team in the middle of a retool, they will be hoping that some of their players will hit new levels for them this upcoming campaign.