Penguins prospect has opportunity to improve during World Championship

The Penguins have a bunch of players joining their counties teams in the World Championships this year. One in particular has a good opportunity in front of him.

Valtteri Puustinen will have a great opportunity with team Finland that Penguins fans should keep an eye on. This will be his second time representing the team in the WC.



Back in 2021 he only played in two games, but he should see much more ice time this year. What this tournament brings to a player like Puustinen is the opportunity to hone his skills and his confidence. Puustinen showed signs of becoming a force during the AHL playoffs, where in the two games Wilkes-Barre played in, he had a goal and two assists.




This will also give him the chance to follow in the footsteps of another young Penguin forward who also impressed in last year's tourney that carried into this season.

Drew O'Connor played for team USA last year, and in his ten games scored 8 points (3G, 5A) and although team USA did not metal, O'Connor showed some good scroing ability that translated to the NHL this year.

In his 76 games played this year he had a career high 16 goals with 17 assists for a total of 33 points. It can be said that his tournament appearance last year improved his skills and confidence. It also gained him a number of shifts on the top Penguins line with Sidney Crosby.



With Puustinen in a very similar situation, the hope is that he can also gain what Drew did during his tournament experience and return with that skill and confidence that can get him in the Penguins lineup for next season.

As Read On: The Hockey News -
Penguins Forward Has Major Opportunity at World Championship