Bokondji Imama’s first season with the Penguins has come to an early end. The team announced that the winger underwent successful surgery to repair a bicep injury. The procedure carries a recovery timeline of four to six months.
The 28-year-old joined Pittsburgh in free agency last summer, inking a one-year, two-way contract. Imama started the campaign with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, notching three goals, two assists, and 47 penalty minutes in 24 games with them before being recalled to the big club in late January.
Since then, Imama has had his biggest taste of NHL action, getting into 16 games, tallying a goal, 30 penalty minutes, and 45 hits in a little under six minutes of playing time per night. For his career, he has a pair of goals in 31 appearances at the top level.
Imama will once again be an unrestricted free agent this summer. At the long end of the recovery timeline, he could miss part of training camp which might negatively affect his market in free agency. Imama indicated earlier this month that his preference was to remain with Pittsburgh but with this injury, it remains to be seen if they’ll be willing to do so.
He’s been a positive influence, and not just with his hits. He’s played hard and been a perfectly decent 4th line contributor when given the chance.
Garnet Hathaway is still injured for those keeping score at home.
He does have amazing biceps.
Aaaaand he’s lucky to see NHL games ever again. He did more than Reeves ever did for so much less