After spending last season in the minors, free agent defenseman Jakub Zboril had to settle for a PTO in training camp, getting one with New Jersey. While he played in four games for them in the preseason, no contract came his way so now, he’s heading back home. HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga announced that they’ve signed the blueliner to a contract through the 2028-29 campaign.
The 27-year-old was a first-round pick by Boston in 2015, going 13th overall. He was the first of three consecutive first-rounders by the Bruins, followed by Jake DeBrusk and Zachary Senyshyn. Zboril was a solid two-way defender at the major junior level but wasn’t able to replicate that offensive success in the pros.
Zboril played in 76 NHL games over parts of four seasons with the Bruins, almost exclusively in a third-pairing role while also battling injuries. He had a goal and 15 assists in those appearances while averaging 15:38 per game.
Zboril played in 46 games in the AHL last season, split between Boston’s farm team and Columbus after he was acquired at the trade deadline, collecting 13 assists. Overall, he has played in 228 games at that level, tallying 11 goals and 59 assists.
Considering that Zboril didn’t qualify for full AHL veteran status for this season (320 or more professional games played), it’s likely that he had offers to play at that level. However, if those were the options he had on the table, it certainly makes sense for him to play at home. With it being a five-year deal, however, that might take away a chance for him to return to North America down the road.