A lot has changed since the last time we saw the Penguins take the ice. There’s a new head coach, a new surrounding staff, and a new goal for the organization heading into this season. And even though the goal might not be to win the Stanley Cup this season, there is still a lot of opportunity to be had for players, both new and returning.
Training Camp Transcripts takes a look at the fringe NHLers, long shot candidates, and lesser known players who will battle for spots in the team’s lineup this fall. In today’s edition, Valtteri Puustinen.
Based on how rare seventh round picks actually make it to the NHL, one could argue that Puustinen’s NHL is already a success. But, I’m sure both he and the Penguins want more out of the player they selected 203rd overall back in 2019.
Puustinen came to North America before the 2021-22 season, joining the team’s American Hockey League and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In his first season stateside, he potted 20 goals and added 22 assists (42 points) in 73 AHL games.
At 22, he also got the chance to make his NHL debut, earning a one-game call up with the team in March. Puustinen made the most of it, notching his first NHL assist and being a +2 on the night in a Penguins win.
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