Penguins Forward Ville Koivunen Skates With Tristan Broz During Practice, Could Return From Injury On Wednesday

It's been 11 days since Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ville Koivunen last played in a game. 

He played in the first NHL Global Series game against the Nashville Predators in Sweden before getting banged up. He was eventually placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and designated as "week-to-week."

Koivunen is back at practice this week and was taking line rushes on the third line with Tristan Broz and Tommy Novak on Tuesday. Assuming Koivunen gets cleared to return on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres, he's excited to get the chance to play with Broz after the two were teammates in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year and a little bit this year.

"It's a lot of fun to play with him. Of course, we played a lot together last year, so he's a great player. He's great with the puck. He can win some battles, too," Koivunen said after Tuesday's practice. 

Koivunen is still searching for his first NHL goal, but it's not for a lack of trying. He has hit multiple posts and has had some other glorious opportunities, but the puck hasn't found the back of the net. 

His confidence had been growing since coming back from WBS before he got hurt. Now, he'll try and help the Penguins snap out of their rut since they have lost seven of their last nine games and aren't in a playoff spot going into Wednesday.


Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!

No. 25 Indiana clamps down on Kansas State 86-69

Reed Bailey scored 21 points and No. Indiana limited the nation's leading scorer, P.J. Haggerty, to 12 below his average in an 86-69 home win over Kansas State on Tuesday night. The senior Bailey did most of his work at the line, where he hit 13 of 15 free throws.

Orlando's Jalen Suggs ejected in first half after heated altercation with Andre Drummond, 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — The Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs was ejected with 27 seconds left in the first half of Tuesday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after receiving two technicals during a heated altercation between the teams.

Philadelphia’s Andre Drummond squared off with Orlando’s Wendell Carter Jr. near the Magic’s free-throw line, though no punches were thrown.

Suggs came in and shoved Drummond. Philadelphia’s Jabari Walker got in between the players, and Suggs then took issue with Walker and there was more pushing and shoving.

Drummond, Carter, Parker, and Orlando’s Desmond Bane received technical fouls while Suggs received two.

The Magic dominated the second quarter, outscoring Philadelphia by 26 points in the period to take an 86-60 lead at the break.

Blackhawks Prospect Featured On Top Young Players List

Sacha Boisvert (© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

With the 18th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected forward Sacha Boisvert. Since then, the 19-year-old forward has been among the Blackhawks' most promising young players.

Now, Boisvert has gotten some big-time praise, as he has made Ryan Kennedy's top players 21 years old or younger list for The Hockey News. Boisvert picked up the No. 73 spot on Kennedy's list.

When looking at how Boisvert has played early on in his collegiate career, it is understandable that he has made this list. The young forward had a strong freshman year with the University of North Dakota in 2024-25, as he posted 18 goals and 32 points in 37 games. He is also now having a good start to the 2025-26 season with Boston University, as he has recorded one goal and nine points in nine games thus far.

With numbers like these, it is hard not to be impressed with Boisvert. The young forward has the tools to blossom into an impactful NHL player and could very well be a big part of the Blackhawks' future as they continue to trend in the right direction.