Viro’s move back to Europe looks more like a reset that worked than a last stop. After a 2024-25 AHL season in Grand Rapids that ended at 62 games and five points, Malmö signed him to a two-year deal in June 2025 and sold the fit around his skating, defensive reliability, and the hope that a different environment could pull a little more offense out of him. That offensive bump showed up quickly. Malmö’s official game reports had him up to six assists by Oct. 25, 11 assists by March 7, and then two goals on March 12, pushing him to five on the year. The bigger takeaway is still stylistic. He looks like the same skating-based defender, but the SHL gave him more room to turn retrievals into exits and keep pucks moving instead of living shift to shift in low-event AHL minutes. Fantasy value remains limited because this is still a role-driven profile, not a power play driver, but his stock stabilized as a legitimate pro defenseman and not just organizational depth.

After three years in Grand Rapids with the Griffins of the AHL, Viro appears to be heading back to Europe with Malmo of the Swedish Elite League. Across 142 AHL games, Viro managed three goals, 16 assists for 19 points. It doesn’t appear that Viro was destined for fantasy relevance, and if he is, in fact, Sweden-bound, it may signal the end of his North American career.

In his first full Liiga season with TPS, Eemil Viro demonstrated signs of improvement in his offensive production. Compared to his three assists in 29 games for TPS in 2019-20, he registered four goals and 10 assists in 53 games this season. That is a .16 increase in his points per game average. Viro even took his offense to greater heights in the postseason, registering three goals in 13 playoff games. Of course, one key factor in this hike in points is Viro’s increased ice time, but another factor is improvements in his willingness to shoot the puck. Already a physical, defensively sound blueliner with quality mobility, any signs of increased effectiveness in the offensive zone put Viro in a good position to crack an NHL roster one day.

Viro was able to crack the Finnish WJC roster and formed a formidable pairing alongside the tournament’s top defenceman, Topi Niemela, as Finland was able to come away with a bronze medal. His minutes increased late in the tournament as he grew more comfortable and began showing off his puck-moving ability. Though he finished with just two assists in seven contests, Viro was a positive play driver because of his strong skating ability and awareness in the defensive zone. Though he is still years away, those traits are what make him a potential modern-day defensive defenceman.

Viro was drafted 70th overall by the Red Wings. Viro is expected to spend another two years in Finland before crossing the pond.

Viro started this season at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he played a pretty big role for Team Finland. Even though he was held pointless in five games, he left a positive impression which was needed because he was a relatively unknown prospect at that time. Viro then started his first full season at Jr. SM-liiga. He played just 13 games there before earning his first call-up to the Liiga team. After those first 13 games, Viro has played just two more games in the junior league, and he now has more Liiga games than junior games this season. His quick transition to the Liiga level has been impressive and people have taken notice of that.

>> Interview: 2020 NHL Draft Prospect Eemil Viro

Viro is an average-sized two-way defenseman who doesn’t really have any standout qualities but he’s good at everything. He is a very good skater with edge work and three-step quickness being his biggest strengths in that area. He is also a very smart player who doesn’t usually force plays that aren’t there. He gives very good breakout passes and likes to join the rush. Even though he isn’t a puck-rusher, he can also carry the puck if passing lanes are not available. He can make flashy plays at times but those are not his calling card. Although he is a better player with the puck than without it, Viro is also a pretty good defensive player. He is not big or physical but he utilizes his stick effectively. His positioning still needs improvement but his good hockey sense allows him to improve in that area as well. Like most players his age, he needs to get stronger to win more battles at the pro level.

Viro will likely spend the rest of this season primarily at the Liiga level because TPS is not a very strong team and they can use a player like him. Viro is also expected to play a big role for Team Finland at the U18 Worlds. Although his upside isn’t anything special, Viro will likely get drafted in the first few rounds because smart puck-moving defensemen like him are valuable in today’s NHL. He will need at least a couple of years before playing in the NHL.