Hey all. I just have a moment for a quicky post. The Calgary Flames have claimed forward Radim Zohorna on waivers today.
My initial reaction? Good for Big Z and good for the Flames and their GM Brad Treliving, who’s done a masterful job this off-season in the face of extreme adversity.
I’ll expand (expound) later.
#######
As promised, the follow-up to my original post.
I confess I was disappointed to learn Zohorna had been claimed by the Flames, but not shocked. After all, Big Z’s an intriguing combination of size, smarts, hands and surprising speed for a player of his gargantuan proportions.
I’m also disappointed that he didn’t get more of a look in the ‘Burgh. During 25 regular-season games spread over two seasons, he tallied four goals and 10 points. Solid production considering he averaged only 9:55 of ice time.
No, his numbers with the Baby Pens didn’t presage a budding star…a decent but hardly dazzling 15 goals and 32 points in 51 games. But to me he was one of those rare players who seemed more suited to the NHL than the minors due to his skill level and hockey IQ.
And make no mistake, good things happened when the Czechia native took the ice. During those 25 games with the black and gold he was on the ice for 20 goals for and only three against 5v5. A staggering goals for percentage of 86.9.
When placed on a line with Evgeni Malkin last season Zohorna didn’t look the least bit out of place. Unfortunately, his windows of opportunity never seemed to last.
Given Mike Sullivan’s seeming aversion to bigger players, you have to wonder if he was 5’11” 190 instead of 6’6” 220 if he might have been given more of a look. But I’m probably being unfair.
Truth be told, we only have so many roster spots. My guess? The emergence of former first-round pick Samuel Poulin, who like Zohorna can play wing or center, greased the skids and made the big man expendable.
Here’s hoping Big Z gets a chance to fully display his wares out west.
Our loss is definitely the Flames’ gain.
LOL Mike,
That may not be too far off from the actual conversation.
Let’s also not forget that Archibald was one of His Boys from his days coaching WBS.
The Other Rick
I try not to think about it – I get sick to my stomach.
Rick,
You of all people know my schedule has been hectic this past year, limiting my opportunity to write. However, truth be told, part of the reason I am not writing much, right now is there has been no change in this team or its MO, despite all of the first round bow outs. Despite failure after failure of this blueprint, the team doggedly holds on to nonproductive philosophies. I would love to see a logical reason for this obstinacy but after 5 years of same-old-same old, NO! It is time to hold someone accountable.
Is Zohorna the next Alex Ovechkin, Luc Robitaille or even Kevin Stevens – NO. However, his loss to FA is just one more example of a pattern of poor asset management. You write that maybe Sam Poulin’s play over this training camp made Zohorna expendable – again NO! And no for more than 1 reason. The team’s MO, their behavior towards prospects indicates that he too, Poulin, will not really be given a chance to play and simply hang around until he gets claimed off waivers like Zohorna, lost to FAs, or simply not offered a new contract.
Second, Zohorna’s emergence should have allowed the team to trade a veteran LW for a much needed veteran serviceable LHD, of which the team is in dire need. Danton Heinen on a team frinedly 1 yr $1 million at age 27Could have gone a long way to getting someone to part with a serviceable LHD and maybe eat a more expensive contract to get some Cap relief (maybe not but it would have been worth a try).
Considering that our Penguins are projected to have the 2nd oldest roster in the league (29.6), come opening night, and with Crosby, Malkin, and Letang getting the bulk of the TOI, the average age of the player the Penguins put on the ice, older than even that 29.6, a prospect as young as Zohorna would have been welcome relief come March.
And regarding your assessment of Zohorna’s hgt as a primal factor in his dismissal, don’t be all that quick to let that idea go, nor the gloss over the impact Smurfville USA may have on the team this season. According to Washington Hockey Now, a former 3rd round draft of theirs (2019 I believe) Aliaksei Protas is poised to be on their roster opening night. Protas is listed as 6’6″ 235lbs. When Wilson gets back from IR and with Mantha already on that roster, Our Penguins will be like children going up against men. A 6’6″ 220 Zohorna, even if he wasn’t the next Battleship Kelly, could have gone a long way to keep up with the arms race in the Metro.
We Penguins’ fans have legitimate cause for alarm and concern.
Rick & The Other Rick
Theirs absolutely no reason why you lose a player with Zahorna’s size and skill set for nothing. This teams
biggest needs are size/toughness & youth. I’m at a loss for words- this is ridiculous. Question: Who would
you rather have in your opening day lineup – Archibald or Zahorna?? I’m sure if we had the opportunity to
sit in on a meeting with Hextall and Sullivan it would go down something like this:
Hextall: Sully, we need to add some size and muscle.
Sullivan: Ron, as long as he plays a speed game and is hard on the puck.
Hextall: Guys like that are hard to come by but I’ll do my best. You know we have a player
who fits the bill already in the organization “Zahorna”
Sullivan: Yea but, I’m, but, yea – you know he’s somewhat of an underachiever and to tell
you the truth Ron I’m not that experienced in coaching players who are 6’2 or more.
Hextall: Well, how about Archibald we may be able to make a play for him.
Sully: OMG we have a chance at Archibald – I would love to have him – fast , hard on the
puck – great fit for my system – if you can pull that one it will be amazing.