Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Scores two goals in AHL win
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Puustinen scored twice in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 4-1 win over Hershey on Saturday.
Puustinen doubled his goal total for the year with this effort. He had been limited to just two helpers over his previous eight contests. On the year, Puustinen is at four goals and 10 assists through 18 appearances. The 26-year-old may struggle to get a call-up this year, as the Penguins have pivoted to auditioning younger players for spots with the big club.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: On waivers
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Puustinen was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
Puustinen appears to have been edged out for a roster spot by the likes of Avery Hayes, Tristan Broz and Filip Hallander, all of whom remain on the Penguins' roster for the time being. Pittsburgh's Opening Night roster will likely become clearer after the team's preseason finale versus the Sabres on Friday, but Puustinen is not part of that group, as evidenced by his demotion.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Optioned to AHL
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Puustinen was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.
Puustinen managed a pair of goals and an assist in 13 NHL games this season. The 25-year-old Finn had 16 goals and 19 assists over 47 AHL games this season, before his recall.
Puustinen scored a power-play goal in Friday's 4-2 win over the Devils.
Puustinen was called up Thursday after the Penguins ruled out five forwards for the remainder of the season. The 25-year-old winger will get a chance to prove himself again at the NHL level. He's managed three points, including two power-play goals, as well as seven shots on net, six hits, five blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 11 appearances this season. Puustinen put up 20 points in 50 outings in 2023-24, so there is a little scoring potential in his game.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Recalled by team
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Puustinen was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.
Puustinen has made 10 appearances for Pittsburgh this year, racking up a goal, an assist, five hits and five blocked shots while averaging 9:53 of ice time. He was sent to the AHL in late November after going unclaimed on waivers, but he should provide additional depth for the NHL club over the final week of the regular season.
Puustinen scored a power-play goal in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Wild.
Puustinen found the back of the net on the power play during the first period, but he didn't do much else the rest of the way. This was his first shot of the campaign in three appearances, so he's not likely to be a major contributor on offense for the Penguins in his bottom-six role.
Puustinen inked a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the Penguins on Friday.
Puustinen saw action in 52 games for Pittsburgh this year, generating five goals and 15 assists. With a new deal in hand, the 24-year-old winger should be in contention for a bottom-six role heading into the 2024-25 campaign. If he can play regular minutes at the NHL level, Puustinen could be capable of challenging for the 30-point threshold next year.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Heads to minors
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Puustinen was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.
Pittsburgh's season is over, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has secured a playoff berth. Puustinen recorded five goals and 20 points in 52 NHL outings this year. He also has five goals and 11 points in 23 appearances with the minor-league club.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Scores goal in loss
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Puustinen scored a goal on three shots in a 5-4 loss to the Islanders on Wednesday.
Puustinen was able to bring a 14-game goal drought to a close in the season finale. The 24-year-old winger played in 52 NHL games this year, picking up five goals, 15 assists and 40 hits while averaging 11:45 of ice time. Puustinen will need a new contract before the 2024-25 campaign, but he'll likely be back with the Pens considering he is a restricted free agent.
Puustinen picked up an assist in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Washington.
Pusstinen was able to end a four-game pointless steak, though he remains mired in a nine-game goal drought dating back to March 17 versus Detroit. During his goalless streak, the 24-year-old winger has been averaging just 11:37 of ice time.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Generates helper
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Puustinen provided an assist and fired four shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Canucks.
Puustinen has quietly put together a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists). The winger has moved up to the second line with the Penguins thinned out by injuries to Jake Guentzel (upper body) and Bryan Rust (upper body). Puustinen has 12 points, 46 shots on net and a plus-8 rating over 26 NHL appearances this season. He is mostly a scoring-only option in deeper fantasy formats, but he may be worth a look while filling a larger role.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Dropped to AHL
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Puustinen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday
Puustinen has picked up one goal, seven assists and 33 shots on net in 21 NHL appearances this campaign. He also has five goals and 10 points in 18 AHL outings this season. The 24-year-old forward might be brought back up by the big club after the All-Star break.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Back in action
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Puustinen (upper body) has two points over three games since returning for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Puustinen will likely continue to see a significant role for the Baby Pens, which could lead to the 24-year-old eventually rising to the NHL roster.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Returned to minor-league affiliate
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Puustinen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.
Radim Zohorna was recalled by the Penguins in a corresponding move, so Puustinen may be in for an extended stay in the minors. Puustinen's racked up 17 goals and 34 points through 53 AHL appearances this season.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Elevated from AHL
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Puustinen was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.
Puustinen has tallied 34 points over 53 AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton contests in 2021-22. The 22-year-old could make his NHL debut as soon as Friday's game against Las Vegas.
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Penguins' Valtteri Puustinen: Back to minors
Rotowire
Puustinen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.
Despite multiple stints with the big club and a decent 27 points in 40 AHL contests, Puustinen -- a 22-year-old rookie -- has yet to make his NHL debut.
