Story perspectives

Penguins Ink Koivunen to 8-Year, $32 M Deal

8/7/2026

Summary

Koivunen Contract

Pittsburgh signed forward Ville Koivunen to an eight-year, $32 million contract (average $4 million) through 2033-34.
Koivunen was acquired by Pittsburgh on March 7, 2024 in the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to Carolina.
The eight-year, $32 million contract ties Koivunen with longest Penguins deals, matching Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, and signals a shift to younger talent as Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang near retirement before the new CBA caps extensions at seven years.

Summary

Dubas Demands Earn

GM Kyle Dubas said Koivunen must earn his roster spot in September’s camp despite his eight-year deal.
Dubas called the contract a “bet” on Koivunen’s potential because the free-agent market for older forwards has shifted.
Koivunen stayed in Europe this summer, establishing a new training program in Helsinki rather than returning to Oulu.

History

Historical Context

After the 2004-05 lockout forced the league to adopt a hard $39 million salary cap in the 2005 CBA, the NHL tightened long-term deal accounting in 2010 to curb cap circumvention. Those reforms shape today’s Pittsburgh Penguins signing 20-year-old Ville Koivunen to an eight-year, $32 million contract while preserving cap flexibility.

1 of 3

Koivunen Contract

Pittsburgh signed forward Ville Koivunen to an eight-year, $32 million contract (average $4 million) through 2033-34.
Koivunen was acquired by Pittsburgh on March 7, 2024 in the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to Carolina.
The eight-year, $32 million contract ties Koivunen with longest Penguins deals, matching Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, and signals a shift to younger talent as Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang near retirement before the new CBA caps extensions at seven years.

1 / 3