Valtteri Puustinen remains polite as ever.

Following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first morning skate of the preseason in Cranberry on Sept. 22, the cordial winger hurriedly packed his bag so he could allow the equipment staffers to load their van and then embark to the team’s plane destined for Montreal.

An inquiring reporter offered to interview him on another less hectic day but Puustinen was steadfast in being available to chat.

The Finn’s manners and affability haven’t waned over his four seasons on this continent. If anything, those features have grown stronger as he’s gotten more and more comfortable conversing in English.

But his chances of securing a full-time NHL role? That’s another matter.

And that uncertainty is reflected in the solemnity with which the 26-year-old Puustinen appears to be approaching his fifth season with the organization.

A steady 20-goal threat with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, Puustinen, a seventh-round draft pick (No. 203 overall) in 2019, appeared to transfer some modicum of that productivity to the NHL Penguins during the 2023-24 campaign when he posted 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 52 games while occasionally inhabiting a top-six role.

That modest offering was enough for Penguins management to extend a two-year contract extension in May of 2024.

What followed was a step backward in 2024-25.

Opening the season on the NHL roster, he was a healthy scratch for the first six contests of the campaign and once he got into the lineup, his impact was limited. By late November, he went unclaimed on waivers and was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

AP In 13 games last season, Penguins forward Valtteri Puustinen had three points (two goals, one assist).  

“Last year was my first time,” Puustinen said of the waivers process. “I don’t know what I (thought) of it. I hope I don’t have to do it this year.”

After generating a solid 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 48 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he eventually returned to the NHL roster following a recall in April. But ultimately, the entire campaign was forgettable for Puustinen who wound up with only three points (two goals, one assist) in 13 NHL contests.

“I (do) not think about last year,” the right-hander said. “I have to focus on this year.”

As for the upcoming season, Puustinen is in a pretty fervent battle for consideration of a roster spot. With new coach Dan Muse largely evaluating everyone in training camp with a blank slate as well as an influx of younger prospects boasting viable credentials, Puustinen understands his route to the NHL is even more daunting than in years past.

He embraces that challenge.

“This is good for me and I hope so (the others) too,” Puustinen said. “Because there are younger guys and (more experienced players) like me. We have good battles for a spot in the team here. I like that because it’s hard for everything. That’s the best every day and it helps the team more.”

Puustinen has helped his case during the preseason by totaling two assists in his first two games of the exhibition slate.

He cites a strong offseason as a reason for optimism entering this season.

“My body is now (better),” said Puustinen, listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. “I am stronger and faster. Now, I need to change everything on the ice. I start today.”

If Puustinen is running out of days to prove he belongs with the Penguins, he isn’t dwelling on that possibility. His focus is elsewhere.

“I don’t think that,” Puustinen said. “I live today, today. I give my best and I know I can play here. I want to see that. I start today, my best game and keep going with that.”

Note: The Penguins assigned forwards Cal Burke, Atley Calvert, Aaron Huglen as well as Nolan Renwick along with defenseman Finn Harding to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s training camp.

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