Emil Pieniniemi

September 2026 – Pittsburgh moved on from Pieniniemi this offseason under terms that tell you where his stock had fallen in the organization. Unable to hold an AHL roster spot with the WBS Penguins – logging just nine games at that level before settling into the ECHL with Wheeling – it represents a significant fall for a player who arrived in North American pro hockey off a 60-point OHL campaign and a silver medal at the 2025 World Juniors. The size and physicality concerns that followed him out of Finland remain real. Florida now takes a chance on him, hoping he can establish himself as an AHL regular and continue developing the two-way instincts and point shot that made him compelling at the junior level. A speculative dynasty hold only. Ryan Downey

September 2025 – The Penguins’ 2023 third-round selection – 91st overall at the time of his draft was widely viewed as a big, mobile defense-minded defenseman. After his draft, he played the bulk of his D+1 season in the Liiga, playing big minutes with Karpat, but only produced six points in 38 games. For the 2024-25 campaign, he made the move to North America to report to the Kingston Frontenacs. In the OHL, he has developed his offensive game and produced 60 points (10 goals and 50 assists) in 60 regular-season games, while adding 10 points (four goals and six assists) in 11 playoff games with the Frontenacs. He had an impressive showing with Finland at the 2025 WJC, where he was the team’s top defender, helping lead Finland to the Silver Medal.

While still a physical and defense-minded defenseman, his offensive game has blossomed. He is not an electric rush player; however, he is very effective running the power play on the point. He displays strong hockey sense and vision, with his timing feeding passes right in the wheelhouse for one-timers or threading the needle from the point. His point shots are both chances to score himself, or placed and timed for tips, deflections or rebounds. Pieniniemi is trending towards an NHL middle-six player. An ideal two-way support player who can log significant minutes, offering a nice blend of peripheral stats in hits and blocks, as well as reasonable offensive production. After a successful D+2 season in the OHL, Pieniniemi looks ready for the next step at the pro level in the AHL, but could be looking at the NHL in one to two seasons. Peter Harling