Pittsburgh Penguins: Top 10 Prospects 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 07: Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Daniel Sprong (41) forechecks during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins on January 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins defeated the Bruins 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

10. Juuso Riikola, D [24] (UDFA)

Stats (KalPa, Liiga): 59 gp, 8 g, 16 a, 24 p, 4 PPG, 1 GWG, (6 pgp, 0 g, 1 a, 1 p).

Juuso Riikola was one of the better defensemen in the Finnish Liiga last season but was not one of the best. One of the top 20, but not one of the top ten. He was tied for 21st in scoring amongst defensemen, 17th in goals, 22nd in assist, and was 32nd in points per game. Those aren’t bad stats, but again, they don’t qualify him as a top-ten guy. That limits his NHL ceiling certainly, and while he has already played two NHL games, he’s not full-time ready.

Juuso Riikola was one of the better defensemen in the Finnish Liiga last season but was not one of the best

In his two NHL game, Riikola has averaged 18 minutes. That’s likely his ceiling, and at 24, he’s already in his peak.

He’ll likely spend some time in the AHL this season, and while he could be a good seventh defenseman for the Penguins, they might be better suited going with someone a bit older just in case Riikola has that last bit of potential he can get while playing consistently in the AHL.

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