The Pittsburgh Penguins announced they have recalled forwards Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen from their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

Koivunen has 21 goals and 55 points in 62 games this season, leading all AHL rookies. 

The 21-year-old led Finland's Liiga in rookie scoring and won a silver medal at the World Junior Championship in 2022. 

A second round selection of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021, Koivunen was acquired last season in a trade for Jake Guentzel. 

McGroarty has 14 goals and 39 points in 60 AHL games and is pointless in three NHL games in what is his first professional season. 

The 20-year-old made the Big Ten First All-Star Team and was a Hobey Baker Nominee for the University of Michigan Wolverines and won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championship last season.

The 2022 14th overall selection was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets in August for 2023 14th overall selection Brayden Yager. 

With the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins having clinched a playoff spot this will be a good chance for these two players to get NHL experience before returning for the Calder Cup Playoffs. 

Keep an eye on The Hockey News Pittsburgh for more updates. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.      

The Milwaukee Admirals and Nashville Predators announced they have signed an affiliation extension agreement that runs through the 2028-29 season. 

 The two teams have been affiliated since the Predators joined the NHL in 1998-99, the third-longest affiliation between an AHL and NHL team. 

215 players have appeared in games for both team including Roman Josi, Juuse Saros, and Filip Forsberg. Nine members of the admirals coaching staff have gone on to NHL jobs. 

Milwaukee have been one of the most successful and consistent teams in the AHL since their inauguration, making the playoffs in 23 of the 26 seasons in franchise history. 

It all starts in Milwaukee 🤝

We're proud to announce a multi-year affiliation extension with the @mkeadmirals through the 2028-29 season.

Full details » https://t.co/ICpTBlHKUopic.twitter.com/k4S5toCOKV

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 24, 2025

They defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to capture their one and only  Calder Cup in 2004. They also lost in the finals to the Hershey Bears in 2006. 

The Admirals have advanced to the AHL Conference Finals the past two seasons, losing both times to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. They clinched a spot in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs earlier this week.

Milwaukee consistently rank in the top-half of the AHL in attendance and it is great to see pro hockey stick in the city. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.  

The San Jose Sharks announced they have recalled defenseman Luca Cagnoni from their AHL affiliate San Jose Barracuda. 

Cagnoni is second among defensemen and third among rookies in AHL scoring with 13 goals and 47 points in 56 games this season. 

A fourth round pick of the Sharks in 2023, Cagnoni's offensive ability has immediately carried over to the pro game and his has been dynamic on the back-end for the Barracuda. 

The Burnaby, B.C., native led the WHL in assists and points by the defensemen last season when he put up 72 assists and 90 points in 65 games for the Portland Winterhawks.  

Cagnoni running PP1. #SJSharkspic.twitter.com/BvguykBMGE

— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) March 18, 2025

We listed Cagnoni as one of the AHL defensemen who deserved a call-up in an article last month.

Listed at just 5'9 and 180 pounds, it will be interesting to see how Cagnoni handles the defensive side of the NHL game. With the Sharks seemingly destined for a bottom-three finish this is a great opportunity for Cagnoni to gain NHL experience with less pressure. 

Keep an eye on The Hockey News San Jose for more roster updates. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.        

The Dallas Stars have assigned defenseman Kyle Capobianco to the Texas Stars, AHL Transactions reported Monday. 

Capobianco, who is in his first season with the Stars organziation, has split time this year between both the NHL and AHL. While being held pointless in his one appearance with Dallas, Capobiano has registered an impressive five goals and 35 points in 49 games with Texas. 

Drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Capobianco has played in 74 career NHL regular season games across parts of seven seasons with the Coyotes, Stars and the Winnipeg Jets. During that span, the Mississauga, Ont., native has five goals and 12 points. 

Signed through next season, Capobianco provides solid depth for a team destined to make a deep run in the playoffs. Capable of contributing at both ends of the ice, Capobianco could be a secret weapon if called upon by the Stars.