Penguins Recall Standout Prospects Ahead Of Senators Matchup

The Penguins will have two standout forward prospects during the closing stretch of the regular season.

Pittsburgh on Friday recalled forwards Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Joona Koppanen was reassigned to WBS in a corresponding move.

Friday’s call-up marked another NHL stint for McGroarty, who started the season and played three games for Pittsburgh. The Penguins acquired the 20-year-old before the season from the Winnipeg Jets, and he found his stride in the AHL. The 2022 first-round pick scored 14 goals and recorded 25 assists for 39 points in 60 games this season.

Koivunen was a key piece in the Jake Guentzel trade before last season’s NHL trade deadline. The Finnish forward led all AHL rookies with 21 goals and 55 points and could make his NHL debut when the Penguins play the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton clinched an AHL playoff spot, so McGroarty’s and Koivunen’s call-ups allow them to gain NHL experience before returning to WBS to help it win the Calder Cup.