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The injuries continue to pile up for the Pittsburgh Penguins, opening the door for a fresh face to take his first skate with the team.
As Noel Acciari and Matt Nieto sit out with lower-body injuries, Joona Koppanen was recalled and is set to make his Penguins debut.
Koppanen was signed as a free agent and found Pittsburgh as a great opportunity for him.
The 25-year-old made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins last season and went on to record an assist in five total games.
Standing at 6-foot-5, Koppanen is excited for his chance and looking to be a reliable option for the Penguins.
“I’m becoming more familiar with the system here,” Koppanen said. “That’s probably the biggest thing coming from another team.”
The Penguins have slotted Koppanen in into the fourth line as the center for Vinnie Hinostroza and Radim Zohorna.
Let’s do this pic.twitter.com/q2JhiC3bjG
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 2, 2023
Koppanen took morning skate with Jeff Carter and Jansen Harkins on his wings.
Head coach Mike Sullivan admitted he hasn’t been able to see Koppanen play in a ton of games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but he’s taking the word of those who have seen him in bunches.
WBS head coach J.D. Forrest, president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas, and assistant general manager Jason Spezza have all spoken highly of Koppanen.
“That’s where we get most of the information on most of these guys,” Sullivan said. “Most recently, I think Koppi has played really well for them.”
Coach Sullivan on Koppanen: "He obviously brings a lot of size. He's a real mobile guy for his size. He checks well. He can help us on the penalty kill. There are a number of areas that we could plug Kopy in the lineup and he could help us immediately." pic.twitter.com/Hamk1rEXXi
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 2, 2023
Sullivan went on to speak on Koppanen’s size and skating ability and how that should be useful when given the chance.
“There’s a number of areas we can plug him into the lineup,” Sullivan said. “His game has grown to another level in Wilkes.”
Koppanen is looking for his first career NHL goal and looking to make a real impact with the Penguins.
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