Penguins suspend defensive prospect Emil Pieniniemi

The Pittsburgh Penguins have suspended defenseman Emil Pieniniemi indefinitely for failing to report to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

A team spokesperson confirmed the punitive action Monday.

Pieniniemi, a third-round draft pick (No. 91 overall) in 2023, was assigned to Wheeling on Oct. 6 but did not report to the affiliate and instead traveled home to his native Finland last week.

The situation was labeled as an impasse by the team.

Pieniniemi’s agent, Lewis Gross, did not respond to messages seeking comment.

The 20-year-old Pieniniemi was part of president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas’ first draft class with the Penguins and signed a three-year entry-level contract a few weeks after being selected (July 14, 2023).

After spending the 2023-24 season primarily with Karpat of Finland’s top professional league, the Liiga, Pieniniemi spent the 2024-25 campaign at the junior level in North America, skating for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

Last season, the left-hander was productive, posting 60 points (10 goals, 50 assists) in 60 games.

Pieniniemi skated for the Penguins during the Prospect Challenge, a showcase event hosted by the Buffalo Sabres, in September then participated in the NHL club’s training camp but did not suit up for any preseason games.

On Sept. 27, he was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. By Oct. 6, he was assigned to Wheeling but never reported.

Per a team spokesperson, the Penguins outlined a development plan to Pieniniemi and illustrated the benefits of playing for Wheeling in a prominent role with significant ice time as opposed to inhabiting a lesser station — and the probability of frequent scratches — with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which has a lineup stocked with veterans.

Pieniniemi was said to disagree with the plan.

During the Penguins’ prospect camp in July, Pieniniemi suggested he was ready to adjust to the professional game on this continent.

“I played pro in (Finland),” Pieniniemi said July 5. “So, I already know what it is. Much stronger guys. Faster guys. It’s (a) big step.”

Pieniniemi could sign with a club in Europe and further his development in that fashion. But it doesn’t appear the Penguins and Pieniniemi are that far along in finding a resolution. Regardless of what the two parties agree to, the first year of his entry-level contract has been used up with regard to his service time as a professional.

Under Dubas, the Penguins have placed a greater emphasis on utilizing the Wheeling Nailers for developing players.

Over the past two seasons, a handful of prospects who either had or eventually signed NHL contracts have suited up for Wheeling, including forwards Raivis Ansons and Avery Hayes, defensemen Finn Harding and Chase Pietila, plus goaltenders Taylor Gauthier and Sergei Murashov.

This past offseason, after incumbent head coach Derek Army left to take an assistant role with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, Pittsburgh Penguins management engaged in an extensive search for a replacement before eventually hiring Ryan Papaioannou on Aug. 14.

Playing in the ECHL can have negative connotations as far as a player’s hopes for reaching the NHL, but the Penguins have a lengthy history of players finding a road to Pittsburgh from Wheeling, including former forwards Josh Archibald, Tom Kuhnhackl, Mark Letestu and Carter Rowney.

Current Penguins forward Justin Brazeau spent two seasons in the ECHL. Undrafted, he made his professional debut in 2019-20 with the Newfoundland Growlers, an affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“My first year when I was there, we were an ECHL team but we weren’t really an ECHL team,” Brazeau said. “We were pretty good. They did a really good job making sure, one, we were treated amazingly. The skill development when we were there, the skill skates, we’d always have guys flying in from (the Maple Leafs) to help us out. Obviously, it benefited (us) a lot.

“Then, just the chance to be able to play. At the time, there was only 10 forwards allowed in the lineup and you’re playing a lot more minutes than you would be. You’re put in situations you might not get in your first couple of (professional seasons) in a crowded lineup.”

Brazeau eventually reached the NHL as a member of the Boston Bruins in 2023-24.

“Both years I was in the ECHL, I was on (AHL) deals,” Brazeau said. “No matter what, (the NHL) already felt kind of far away. My first year, I didn’t really see it that way too, too much. I knew going in that when I signed the (AHL) deal, they had a pretty crowded depth chart.

“It definitely feels far away but it’s just one of those things that you’ve got to work through.”

Notes:

• The Penguins’ lines and pairings during a practice session in Cranberry on Monday were:

67 Rickard Rakell – 87 Sidney Crosby – 17 Bryan Rust

39 Anthony Mantha – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 16 Justin Brazeau

18 Tommy Novak – 81 Ben Kindel – 11 Filip Hallander

19 Connor Dewar – 46 Blake Lizotte – 55 Noel Acciari/53 Philip Tomasino

28 Parker Wotherspoon – 65 Erik Karlsson

5 Ryan Shea – 58 Kris Letang

82 Caleb Jones – 45 Harrison Brunicke

75 Connor Clifton – 24 Matt Dumba

• The top power-play unit included Crosby, Karlsson, Malkin, Rakell and Rust. The second power-play unit involved Brazeau, Kindel, Letang, Mantha and Novak.

• Injured forwards Kevin Hayes (suspected left shoulder), Rutger McGroarty (undisclosed) as well as goaltender Joel Blomqvist (undisclosed) and Jack St. Ivany (suspected right foot) all remain sidelined with ailments they started the regular season with. Coach Dan Muse indicated there was no change in their statuses.