Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Ville Koivunen was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Sunday.
A healthy scratch for the past two games, Koivunen has appeared in 33 NHL contests this season and scored seven points (two goals, five assists) while averaging 12:38 of ice time per contest.
At the AHL level, Koivunen has been far more prolific, posting 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 28 games.
Throughout the season, Koivunen has been shuffled between the NHL and AHL rosters. His most recent recall to the NHL club came March 6.
Coach Dan Muse offered a strong audit of Koivunen’s most recent stint on the NHL roster.
“He’s playing with more speed,” Muse said. “He’s attacking the game more. First touches, getting going. He was good away from the puck as well … with speed, coming back, showing some more detail to the game. Which, it takes time in this league.”
Koivunen, 21, is in the final year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $805,833.