As the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to build up their organizational depth, the team has announced three signings, bringing in forwards Marc Johnstone and Radim Zohorna, as well as goaltender Magnus Hellberg. Johstone’s contract will be a two-year, $1.55MM contract, while Zohorna will earn a one-year, $785K deal, both contracts being two-way deals. Shortly thereafter, the team announced that Hellberg would also be making $785K over a one-year deal.
Hellberg becomes the second goalie the Penguins have poached from the Detroit Red Wings, after having also signed goalie Alex Nedeljkovic yesterday. Starting last season with the Ottawa Senators, Hellberg was acquired by Seattle Kraken via waivers on November 22nd, and then subsequently claimed on waivers by the Red Wings the next day. Serving as the primary backup for Detroit last year after Nedeljkovic was sent down to the minors, Hellberg posted a 4-8-1 record, managing a .885 SV% and a 3.29 GAA.
Zohorna is back to the Penguins for his second stint with the organization, after a brief stint split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames organizations during the 2022-23 season. Zohorna spent much of the year playing for the Flames AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, but would then finish the year with the Toronto Marlies after a midseason trade between the two teams. At the AHL level last year, Zohorna played in 51 games, scoring 12 goals and 22 assists.
Lastly, Johnstone has the least amount of experience in the group, having only spent the last two years playing for the Toronto Marlies. A Sacred Heart University product, Johnstone has a total of 73 games played in the AHL, scoring nine goals and 13 assists throughout his short career.
I expect another dozen or so signings today. Gotta compete with the Houston Rockets for most players signed in a weekend by a pro sports team.
Glad to have Zohorna back. He’s a project, but I think there is a player in there. He can be one of those 4th liners who only play 10-12 minutes a night but make an impact every shift.
Also, are we just going to collect backups and hope to slip them all through waivers. If so, good, that’s actually the way to go. Tired of third stringers who shouldn’t even be able to buy a ticket to an NHL game.
agreed. definitely could be a Matt Martin if he keeps grinding
Interesting to read the news that the Pens were pursuing Eric Karlsson yesterday but deemed the price as being too high. I’d wonder what that price was.
Probably too high for everyone.. now I like Erik Karlsson he had one heck of a season for the Sharks but defenseman typically go for a steep price on the block especially his caliber. But he’ll be 34 next season and probably won’t come close to 101 points again. I’m guessing the Sharks want multiple first round picks plus a decent NHL’er and a teams top prospect.
A reasonable offer would be Petry plus two seconds and two thirds (or one late first round pick).
Not enough to move the needle for SJ but anymore is too much for the Pens to offer.
Have to fill up the W-B AHL roster with players. These work.