Penguins lose Juuso Riikola to Sweden, Taylor Fedun signs a two-year contract
It will forever be a story of “think again?” Defender Juuso Riikola has left the Pittsburgh Penguins and North America to sign a contract in the Swedish Elite League.
Riikola was a toast to Penguin’s training camp in 2018, when he threw all over the ice, played physically and impressed everyone with how quickly he picked up the North American game.
Riikola played 37 NHL games during his rookie year and scored seven points (2-5-7). He played 36 NHL games in his second season, again by seven points, but dropped to just two last season and five this season.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The original title of the story stated that IK Oskarshamn was in Finland. We apologize for the inconvenience.
An injury cost Riikola his big chance 2020-21. When the injuries decimated Penguin’s blue line, Riikola was in line for an extended NHL race. But two games into his chance, he also suffered an injury.
At training camp, head coach Mike Sullivan expressed regret that Riikola missed his big chance and that Riikola never got another one. He played 53 games with the WBS Penguins this season and made a solid season with 35 points (1-34-35).
“My four years in North America were a good time in life, but I felt it was time for a change and the next chapter in my career. I have heard good things about the team and the city. I think my style of play will work in the team.” , Riikola said via the Finnish press release.
We have a new player to present! Juuso Riikola is ready for games in IK next season. Welcome to us Juuso! Read more about the transition on the website 📲 https://t.co/3VzJV8EqVe pic.twitter.com/1cKuXHUhoa
– IK Oskarshamn (@iko_officiell) 25 May 2022
Taylor Fedun
The Pittsburgh Penguins also inked the WBS Penguins captain Taylor Fedun to a two-year two-way contract with an AAV just over 762k at the NHL level.
As WBS captain, the right-handed defender scored 16 points, including five goals.
Fedun, 33, has played parts of seven seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabers and Dallas Stars, with 127 games. In his NHL career, he has eight goals, 27 assists, 35 points and is a plus-7.
From Penguin’s press release:
Blueliner’s best season at 6 feet-1 and 200 pounds came with Dallas 2018-19, where he noted career highs across the board in games played (54), goals (4), assists (7) and points (11). ). Fedun has also participated in 18 Stanley Cup playoffs in his career, including 11 matches during the Stars race to the Stanley Cup final 2020.
Fedun has also spent 11 seasons in the AHL, picking up 46 goals, 151 assists, 197 points and a plus-43 in 400 games during the regular season. He served as alternate captain for several teams, including Rochester (2017-19), Utica (2015-16) and Oklahoma City (2013-14).