Former 6-foot-5 Boston Bruins forward's career hits a new low following announcement

Once a hopeful big-body addition from the Boston Bruins system has been placed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins after a brief call-up.

Koppanen got 10 games this season in Pittsburgh, collecting one assist, logging two penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating.

The bulk of his work has come in the AHL with the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he managed one goal, one assist and a plus-3 across six games.

His story with the Bruins already told a tough tale: Koppanen was a 2016 draft pick, 135th overall, and only cracked five NHL games in 2022-23 season registering a single assist, eight hits, four penalty minutes and an even plus/minus.

His time in Boston largely played out with the Providence Bruins, where over six seasons he piled up 93 points in 245 games.

It stings to see a forward who once looked like a project with upside now bouncing between AHL benches and waiver wires.

For fans who hoped Koppanen's size and AHL production might translate to steady NHL minutes, this move hits hard.

Given his history, brief Bruins stint, long AHL service, and sideways move to Pittsburgh this waiver placement might signal fewer paths to a regular NHL role ahead.

Unless another team claims him, he'll likely settle back in the minors.

Do you think Joona Koppanen can still stick in the NHL this season?