Pending RFA Puustinen Re-Ups With Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed winger Valtteri Puustinen to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000 at the NHL level, the team announced Friday.

Puustinen, 24, was on his entry-level contract the past two seasons and would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. His new contract runs through the 2025-26 season.

The outgoing winger split the 2023-24 season between the Penguins and their American Hockey League affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. At the NHL level, he moved around the lineup and had five goals, 20 points in 52 games to lead all rookies on the team.

Puustinen currently is with Team Finland at the IIHF World Championships in Czechia along with Penguins teammate Jesse Puljujarvi. Puustinen won a silver medal with Finland at the 2019 World Junior Championships.

Originally drafted by the Penguins in the seventh round at the 2019 NHL draft, Puustinen played three seasons with HPK of Liga, Finland’s top pro league.