A pair of division rivals have begun their off-seasons with a trade.
Okuliar, 26, has yet to play in the NHL after joining the Panthers organization as an undrafted free agent.
He competed for Slovakia at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, notching one goal and one assist in six games. The centre spent one season with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, in 2024-25, recording 19 goals and 22 assists.
Okuliar then moved to the Swedish Hockey League this season, winning a title with Skelleftea AIK and posting 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 15 post-season games.
Pieniniemi, 21, was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft by the Penguins.
The six-foot-three Finnish blue-liner made his AHL debut this season, putting up one goal and two assists in nine games while also appearing in two post-season contests.
He is also yet to play in the NHL.
