Penguins Update: A Tale of Two Rookies

One of the more intriguing story lines of the young season has been the development of two rookie forwards. One arrived with great expectations, the other not so much. At least not for the immediate future.

When the Pens selected Ben Kindel with the 11^th overall pick at last summer’s Entry Draft, some 10 slots ahead of where he was projected to go, I had a very strong reaction. And, no, I wasn’t jumping for joy.

Rather, my reaction was utter disgust, with a heaping helping of frustration and disappointment mixed in. Like my colleague, Other Rick, I’d hoped the Pens would take defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, an ornery, body-banging force who possesses loads of offensive props as well.

Instead, we got a smallish junior scorer who was reputed to be a step slow. In my mind, he sounded like the second coming of Brayden Yager, who we subsequently peddled for the more physically mature Rutger McGroarty.

It sure didn’t help that early reports from the Pens’ development camp in July were anything but glowing. I thought we’d wasted a pick.

Hold the phone for a moment.

On the flip side, Finnish forward Ville Koivunen, the center piece in the Jake Guentzel swap at the 2024 deadline, enjoyed an outstanding rookie campaign with the Baby Pens before being summoned by the big club at the end of March.

During his eight-game trial, I thought the kid flashed some unbelievable skills. Great vision and sense of awareness on the ice, along with elite passing and playmaking. What impressed me even more was the fact that he was totally unawed by the step-up in competition, nor did he defer to the team’s cadre of established stars.

I thought we had a sure-fire, rising star on our hands. Honesty, if you’d told me heading into this season that he’d duplicate his numbers at Wilkes (21 goals and 56 points), I wouldn’t have flinched.

Unfortunately, at least at the present, things haven’t gone as planned (or as I’d anticipated) for the 22-year-old Finn. Quite the opposite, in fact. Following two rather nondescript games skating next to Sidney Crosby during which he was barely noticeable, Kyle Dubas quickly dispatched Ville to the minors.

Koivunen proceeded to light it up in six games with the Baby Pens, to the tune of four goals and 11 points, prompting a speedy recall. Since rejoining the team, he’s been much better. In fact, along with fellow rookie Kindel, he has some of the best underlying 5v5 numbers on the club. Ville leads the team in Corsi (56.96), Shots for Percentage (56.73), Expected Goals for Percentage (59.89) and Scoring Chances for Percentage (60.61).

He’s doing everything but showing up on the score sheet and therein lies the rub. As hard as it might be to believe for one so skilled, he has yet to muster a goal through 18 NHL games. He’s managed just two assists during his 10 games with the big boys so far this season.

The Ol’ Two-Niner, Phil Bourque, observed that Ville takes a fraction too long to make his move and seems a step slow at this level. Raising concerns about just how effective he might be.

Is Koivunen the player who dazzled during last season’s cameo? Or is he the one who’s struggled to crack the score sheet this season?

Likely somewhere in between.

Back to that call on hold and Kindel. From the moment I laid eyes on him this season, I’ve been…frankly…stunned by how good he is. He’s clever and crafty and makes some of the best short passes I’ve seen this side of Sid. Can absolutely rip the biscuit.

Ultra-competitive, too. Despite his lack of size, he sticks his nose in and battles along the boards and in traffic. (Reminds me of Guentzel in that regard.) Doesn’t shy away from his defensive chores, either.

As for those skating concerns? This kid’s not only quick and shifty, but downright fast at times. Just as important, he’s able to think the game and make plays at top speed. Attributes that belong to a rarified few.

He’s just incredibly impressive for an 18-year-old kid.

Perhaps I’m guilty of jumping the gun a tad. After all, I was equally gushy over Koivunen’s play last spring. But I actually think Kindel has the makings of a mini-Crosby. High praise, indeed.

As for Koivunen? In my mind, the jury’s still out. Hopefully, he’s not one of those too-good-for-the-AHLers who never really establish themselves in the NHL.

In each case, time will tell.