Even as a pending unrestricted free agent, Valtteri Puustinen spoke about returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins for next season as if it was a certainty.

On Friday, that notion became reality as the team signed the forward to a two-year contract extension with a salary cap hit of $775,000.

The 24-year-old Puustinen is currently signed to a one-year, two-way contract with an identical salary cap hit and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

During the team’s exit interview day April 18, Puustinen expressed an eagerness to remain with the Penguins.

“I have a good feeling because this is my first year here,” Puustinen said. “My dream is (to) play here. I can’t wait until next year. … I’m so hungry coming back.”

A seventh-round draft pick (No. 203 overall) in 2019, Puustinen broke through as a full-time NHLer this past season as he appeared in 52 games and scored 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) while averaging 11:45 of ice time.

Primarily stationed on the third line, Puustinen also found some work on the penalty kill in 2023-24, averaging 1:26 of ice time during the man advantage per contest.

The right-handed Puustinen is scheduled to skate for his native Finland in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Championship tournament which begins Friday in Czechia.

With Puustinen re-signed, the Penguins now have 18 players who are scheduled unrestricted or restricted free agents on July 1:

Unrestricted

Forwards - Jeff Carter, Jansen Harkins, Vinnie Hinostroza, Radim Zohorna

Defensemen - Taylor Fedun, Xavier Ouellet, Jack Rathbone, Dmitri Samorukov, Ryan Shea

Goaltenders - Alex Nedeljkovic, Ludovic Waeber

Restricted

Forwards - Corey Andonovski, Emil Bemstrom, Maxim Cajkovic, Jonathan Gruden, Dillon Hamaliuk

Defensemen - P.O Joseph, Jack St. Ivany

Note: Carter has announced he has retired.

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