Why do the Penguins have so many Finnish players?

Having worked as a scout in some capacity for the Penguins since 2006, assistant general manager Patrik Allvin commands extensive familiarity with the franchise’s players, those on the NHL roster as well as their pool of prospects.

He’s knows everything about their backgrounds, personalities, skill sets and development.

There’s one aspect that did escape his focus, however, until it was recently brought to his attention.

A lot of them are from Finland.

Of the 67 players who are signed or have their NHL rights controlled by the Penguins, nine are from the Fennoscandian nation renown for reindeer meals and death metal bands.

That’s the second-highest total in the league, trailing only the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs at 10 each.

“I was surprised at the numbers, quite honestly,” Allvin said recently in a telephone interview with the Tribune-Review. “It’s really nothing we’ve emphasized on. Regardless of where the players are coming from, we are excited about them.”

Allvin does acknowledge one adage, albeit in jest, that originally applied to Finland’s dominance on the motorsports circuit and has been loosely applied to NHL roster management.

“You need a Finn to win!” he quipped.

Considering Finland has won three of the past seven IIHF World Junior Championship tournaments, that notion might carry some actual weight.

Regardless, Allvin maintains the Penguins haven’t specifically focused on Finns in recent years. But suggested outlying factors have perhaps led to them gravitating towards players from that country.

“The European players and the college players, you’ve got a little bit more of time frame with them until you have to make a decision,” said Allvin, himself a native of Sweden. “That might be one aspect. Instead of two years with (Canadian junior players), you have four years to make a decision on them. So it’s a little bit longer of a development path for them.”

“The last, I would say, five, six years, they’ve had a lot of top-end prospects coming out of there. A credit to their federation. They’ve done a good job of developing a lot of good, young players.”

Allvin credits European scouts Petri Pakaslahti and Tommy Westlund for finding the players in Finland.

The Finnish-born Pakaslahti spent 12 seasons playing in his country’s top league, the Liiga, and even served as a general manager of Espoo of the country’s second-tier league, the Mestis, before joining the Penguins as a full-time scout in 2018.

Westlund, of Sweden, spent four seasons in the NHL with the Hurricanes during the 2000s, then managed by current Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. He joined the Penguins as a scout in 2011.

“Petri has done a really good job since he got hired with us, Allvin said. “His credibility over in Finland is really good. He was a general manager there for a short period time in Espoo. Obviously, he was a good hockey player over in Finland so I think he’s well connected around Finnish hockey and around the teams there. And also, our Swedish scout, Tommy Westlund, those two guys are good at identifying the players over there.”

The Penguins’ interest in Finnish players extends beyond the draft. In recent years, they have recruited signed undrafted professionals such as defensemen Juuso Riikola and goaltender Emil Larmi to NHL contracts.

“A credit to our staff, Petri and Tommy, not only looking just at (potential) draft picks,” Allvin said. “They’re looking at any good players, regardless of age. In those specific players, we thought they were a little bit later developed and we were intrigued with the potential upside. … We’re trying to be open-minded with those guys and their ages, coming out of there at 22 to 25, 26. Players that we believe our development staff and our coaching staff could still work with and bring out a little bit more than they’ve seen over there.”

To be certain, no one is about to confuse Pittsburgh with Pyhäjärvi any time soon. Whenever the NHL’s 2020-21 season opens, the Penguins figure to have only two of their nine Finnish assets on their NHL roster in Riikola and Kasperi Kapanen, a first-round pick in 2014 who was traded to the Maple Leafs and spent five seasons with that franchise before returning via trade in August.

The vast majority of their Finnish players are prospects. Beyond Riikola and Kapanen, Larmi, defenseman Niclas Almari and forward Kasper Bjorkqvist are the only other members of the group signed to NHL deals.

But clearly, the Penguins have been intrigued by the types of players they can find in Finland.

“The federation there seems to emphasis a lot on speed, skills,” Allvin said. “I would say in general, the Finnish players are very competitive too. They’ve got a good team-first mentality. A guy like Riikola here, not being in the top six (defensemen) all the time, he’s prepared to step in and accept the role that he has. That’s the team mentality of the Finnish players. Just the culture, I think there (is) just a competitive nature of the Finnish people there.”

A player-by-player look at the Penguins’ Finnish players:

(Note: All contract date is per Cap Friendly.)

Santeri Airola, defensemen

Age: 20

Acquired: Seventh-round draft pick (No. 211 overall) in 2019

Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2023.

Allvin’s scouting report: “A little bit late bloomer here. The intriguing part about him is his ability to skate. He’s a really good skater and a really good puck mover. … He got injured (this preseason with Ilves of the Liiga). Late when he was sent down to (Koovee of the) Mestis and played two games to get (recuperated), his team down in Mestis got COVID. So then he had to quarantine again when he got called up (to Ilves). Unfortunately, for him, it’s been a rough couple of months.”

Niclas Almari, defensemen

Age: 21

Acquired: Fifth-round draft pick (No. 151 overall) in 2016.

Contract status: Entering the second year of a three-year entry-level contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2022.

Note: Almari began a season in North America for the first time with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2019-20, appearing in 51 games and producing seven points (one goal, seven assists). Currently on loan to Pelicans of the Liiga, he has missed most of the season due to an undisclosed injury.

Allvin’s scouting report: “For Niclas, the main thing is just to get used to the heavier workload in terms of games over in (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton). The three (games) in three nights, playing a more competitive game every night consistently. But we like the size, his ability to move the puck, his ability to skate. He made big strides over the last year. So we’re excited about him coming back.

Kasper Bjorkqvist, left winger

Age: 23

Acquired: Second-round draft pick (No. 61 overall) in 2016.

Contract status: Entering the second year of a two-year entry-level contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2021.

Note: Bjorkqvist’s professional debut last season lasted only six games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as a knee injury sidelined him in November of 2019. This season, he has appeared in 18 games with KooKoo of the Liiga and has 10 points (six goals, four assists)

Allvin’s scouting report: ““He was a priority for us to get (playing time this season). Even if you look to the last two years, dealing back with an injury back in Providence (of the NCAA) there. Then got a season-ending injury last year after (six) games, it was really important for him to get back and play in games. He was off to a really good start. He played with the national team for three games in November … It’s important for him to get his legs back, get his confidence back and he’s excited to be back playing.

“You could say more of a power-forward style player. More of a (penalty kill) guy. We encourage him to do more with the puck, work on his skills, be more involved. That was intriguing to see he was rewarded with points here early on (in the season).”

Joel Blomqvist, goaltender

Age: 18

Acquired: Second-round draft pick (No. 52 overall) in 2020.

Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2024.

Note: Blomqvist is currently playing with Hermes of the Mestis.

Allvin’s scouting report: “This is first year playing pro hockey. Hermes is a bottom-end team (in the standings). It’s been an adjustment for him. He started really well the first two games when he was a starter for Karpat in Liiga. He just had a shutout, (his first as a professional). We’re excited about his path. Karpat has produced a lot of good goalies in the past. They’ve got a plan for him to play this year in Mestis then next year, bring him up to the big team.”

Kasperi Kapanen, right winger

Age: 24

Acquired: Trade, Aug. 25.

Contract status: Second-year of a three-year contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2022.

Note: Kapanen is the son of former NHL forward Sami Kapanen and spent many years of is youth on this continent.

Allvin’s scouting report: “I think he lived in North America until he was 12 years old. So I think it was actually probably a tougher transition moving back to Finland when you are that age I would say he has a better understanding. Obviously, his dad was such a good player. Being around the NHL game from when you are born, I think he definitely had a better understanding (of North American hockey).

“Just looking at his game, I think he has matured as a player. You’re watching him kill penalties and being a very responsible two-way guy. That’s one area he really has improved on. And obviously, we think there is more offense to come with his game that we saw when he was younger. Elite speed here. So I’m excited about the opportunity he will get here in Pittsburgh.”

Emil Larmi, goaltender

Age: 24

Acquired: Free agent signing, June 2, 2019.

Contract status: Second year of a two-year entry-level contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2021.

Note: Larmi made his North America debut last season, splitting time between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling of the ECHL. He is currently on loan to HPK of the Liiga.

Allvin’s scouting report: “It was definitely a tougher transition for him (in 2019-20). He got injured early and battling coming back, it was definitely a tough first year. His mindset was really good. He’s a competitive goalie and a competitive kid. That was important for us to get him going (this season with HPK). Finding the consistency of being an NHL player, that’s what we’re looking for from him. To have a streak of good games, not just having one good game, one bad game. That’s what he has to learn. Obviously, it was a little bit of a tougher path for him here with the injury that he was dealing with early on. … Hopefully he has a good start in Finland and coming back once the (AHL) opens up again.”

Antti Palojarvi, defenseman

Age: 21

Acquired: Sixth-round draft pick (No. 186 overall) in 2017.

Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2021.

Note: Palojarvi is currently playing for Hermes.

Allvin’s scouting report: “He was a late-round pick. … A little bit of a late bloomer. Hasn’t really been able to establish himself in the Liiga. We’re still working with him. We’re going to make a decision after this year, either to sign him or let him walk. But he’s made progress for sure. You’re looking at a good-sized, stay-at-home (defensemen). A pretty good skater. For him, it’s learning about playing pro hockey, learning (about) dealing with a stronger, heavier player every night.”

Valtteri Puustinen, left winger

Age: 21

Acquired: Seventh-round draft pick (No. 203 overall) in 2017.

Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2021.

Note: Puustinen is currently playing for HPK and is that team’s second-leading scorer with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 13 games.

Allvin’s scouting report: “When we drafted Puustinen, he had went through the draft, I want to say, maybe once. He was an undersized player, definitely a late bloomer, but just a naturally talented player. He played the (IIHF World Junior Championship tournament) for Finland. He’s a really smart player and we’re talking about a player that adjusted well at the pro level. His game is suited more for (the professional ranks) because he’s so smart and skilled and once he got to play with better players, that’s where he came through. He was dealing with (potential coronavirus exposure), he was sitting out more or less three weeks in October. He just got back (on the ice) and has been on fire. To have a guy like that in the seventh round, we’re thrilled for his path. Hopeful for a strong second half. Hopefully, he cracks the lineup this year (for Finland’s roster in the IIHF World Championship tournament) or reports to Wilkes-Barre after the season.

“He definitely has a great shot. His ability to read and see the play can get him in position to get the puck and score goals. A guy like that, we’re really excited about him and it would definitely be interesting to see him around NHL players that can get him the puck and he could find chemistry with. A younger player that can get strong, find a consistency level. But over the past two years, he’s fast-forwarded his progress definitely.”

Juuso Riikola, defenseman

Age: 27

Acquired: Free agent signing, May 18, 2018.

Contract status: Entering the first year of a two-year contract. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2020.

Note: Riikola has spent most of the past two seasons, primarily as a reserve defenseman, on the Penguins’ NHL roster.

Allvin’s scouting report: “We always liked his ability to skate. But Tommy recognized he might not have been ready for the draft back then. But we still encourage our (scouts) to be open-minded and just because we didn’t like the player at (age) 17 or 18, that player can’t get better. In this particular case, Jusso got better. Obviously, he played for Kasperi’s dad. And Tommy and Sami, they were teammates back in the day in Carolina. So Tommy got some input on Juuso there.

“Our top-six (defensemen group) has been extremely hard to crack. To have a guy like Juuso and Chad Ruhwedel at seven and eight, I think that speaks highly about your depth. In order to win the (Stanley) Cup, you have to have good depth there. Juuso has definitely made strides in terms of being more consistent, being in better shapes. He has the attributes of being a good-skating defenseman that has a little bit of a physical part of his game as well. For him, it’s about finding that consistency of being a regular top-six NHL defenseman. Hopefully, he can find that path here now and establish himself.”