Checking in from the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex where the Penguins will hold an 11 a.m. practice ahead of a three-game road trip through St. Louis, Dallas and Chicago. I'll have updates here:
• Sullivan said he thinks Koivunen has really good offensive instincts, a high hockey IQ and a competitive nature. He believes that, because Koivunen possesses all three of those attributes, he's fully capable of playing top-six minutes moving forward.
"It's early to tell and we'll see where it goes, but we liked his first game and he's had a real solid season in Wilkes and has made an impact down there," Sullivan said. "We love his offensive instincts, his ability to make a play and he has a little swagger to him. He plays with moxie and he doesn't just throw the puck away, he hangs on to pucks and protects pucks. He sees it pretty good. When you think of the attributes a top-six forward has to play in the NHL, he certainly has them."
• Sullivan said Koppanen was recalled on an emergency basis because "we've got a few guys that are banged up, but they'll all make the trip."
• MikeSullivan said Malkin and Joseph skated this morning, while Novak did not. Malkin will travel with the team, per Sullivan.
• JasonSpezza and AmandaKessel are here watching practice.
• Power-play units still include the kids:
First - Crosby, Rakell, Rust, Koivunen, Grzelcyk Second - Hayes, Tomasino, McGroarty, Letang, Karlsson
• This morning's lines and defensive pairings:
Rutger McGroarty - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust Connor Dewar - Rickard Rakell - Ville Koivunen Kevin Hayes - Noel Acciari - Phil Tomasino Danton Heinen - Blake Lizotte/Koppanen - Emil Bemstrom
Matt Grzelcyk - Kris Letang Conor Timmins - Erik Karlsson Ryan Graves/Vladislav Kolyachonok - Ryan Shea
• All expected players are on the ice, including JoonaKoppanen, who was just recalled on an emergency basis. No EvgeniMalkin, P.OJoseph or TommyNovak.
• Guys are starting to make their way over to the other rink, but McGroarty, Koivunen and Bemstrom are still out on the primary ice getting some shots on Ned and TristanJarry.
• First four players on the ice a good 15 minutes before practice begins: Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Emil Bemstrom and AlexNedeljkovic.
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THE ASYLUM
José Negron
2:43 pm - 04.02.2025Cranberry, Pa.Final: Penguins practice
Checking in from the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex where the Penguins will hold an 11 a.m. practice ahead of a three-game road trip through St. Louis, Dallas and Chicago. I'll have updates here:
• Sullivan said he thinks Koivunen has really good offensive instincts, a high hockey IQ and a competitive nature. He believes that, because Koivunen possesses all three of those attributes, he's fully capable of playing top-six minutes moving forward.
"It's early to tell and we'll see where it goes, but we liked his first game and he's had a real solid season in Wilkes and has made an impact down there," Sullivan said. "We love his offensive instincts, his ability to make a play and he has a little swagger to him. He plays with moxie and he doesn't just throw the puck away, he hangs on to pucks and protects pucks. He sees it pretty good. When you think of the attributes a top-six forward has to play in the NHL, he certainly has them."
• Sullivan said Koppanen was recalled on an emergency basis because "we've got a few guys that are banged up, but they'll all make the trip."
• Mike Sullivan said Malkin and Joseph skated this morning, while Novak did not. Malkin will travel with the team, per Sullivan.
• Jason Spezza and Amanda Kessel are here watching practice.
• Power-play units still include the kids:
First - Crosby, Rakell, Rust, Koivunen, Grzelcyk
Second - Hayes, Tomasino, McGroarty, Letang, Karlsson
• This morning's lines and defensive pairings:
Rutger McGroarty - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Connor Dewar - Rickard Rakell - Ville Koivunen
Kevin Hayes - Noel Acciari - Phil Tomasino
Danton Heinen - Blake Lizotte/Koppanen - Emil Bemstrom
Matt Grzelcyk - Kris Letang
Conor Timmins - Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves/Vladislav Kolyachonok - Ryan Shea
• All expected players are on the ice, including Joona Koppanen, who was just recalled on an emergency basis. No Evgeni Malkin, P.O Joseph or Tommy Novak.
• Guys are starting to make their way over to the other rink, but McGroarty, Koivunen and Bemstrom are still out on the primary ice getting some shots on Ned and Tristan Jarry.
• First four players on the ice a good 15 minutes before practice begins: Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Emil Bemstrom and Alex Nedeljkovic.
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Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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