Marc Johnstone, who spent time with the Toronto Marlies, also goes to Pittsburgh in his first NHL deal.
Marc Johnstone, who spent time with the Toronto Marlies, also goes to Pittsburgh in his first NHL deal.
Kyle Dubas has acquired forward Radim Zohorna for the second time in five months.
The Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations signed Zohorna to a one-year deal worth $775,000 on Sunday.
As GM with the Maple Leafs last season, Dubas acquired the 6-foot-6 Czech player on Mar. 3 from the Calgary Flames in a minor-league deal in exchange for Dryden Hunt.
During his media availability following the deadline, Dubas said his scouting staff identified Zohorna as someone that could give them depth at the center position.
The 27-year-old made his debut in the NHL during the 2020-21 season with the Penguins. In just eight games, he showcased his skills by scoring two goals and accumulating four points. The following year, he divided his time between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL. As both a center and a winger, Zohorna proved to be a reliable player, displaying his versatility on the ice.
Known by his teammates as 'Big Z', Zohorna managed to score his only NHL goal of the season against Ottawa on April 1st. Additionally, he represented Czechia at the IIHF World Championship.
The 27-year-old Johnstone signed a two-year deal that carries the minimum at the NHL level. He'll earn $100,000 at the AHL level in 2023-24 and $150,000 in 2024-25. He completed his first season in the AHL, where he played for the Marlies. He had nine goals and 13 assists in 69 games with the club. The forward spent most of the previous season playing for the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL.
This is Johnstone's first NHL contract and he is an alumnus of Sacred Heart University.
Related
Rangers Secure One-Year Agreement with Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Mac Hollowell
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Explains Why he Signed Ryan Reaves to Three-Year Contract