Finnish defenseman Juuso Riikola has been on the Pittsburgh Penguins radar for a while now.
From the PG, Pens assistant general manager Bill Guerin went to Finland in February and liked what he saw live in person.
As early as warmup, Guerin smiled at the sight of what the Penguins’ European scouts had been telling for months: Riikola, a 24-year-old who made his pro debut at 19, can absolutely play.
“He’s a really confident kid, carries himself well,” Guerin gushed after Riikola shined in the Penguins’ 7-3 preseason victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena
“Our European scouts,” Guerin continued, “they’re a good group.