Penguins Lose Forward to Waivers, at Risk of Losing a Defender

The Calgary Flames announced today that the club has claimed 26-year old, Czech forward Radim Zohorna off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Zohorna has spent the last two years in the Penguins' organization after playing eight seasons in the Czech Lliga. In 51 AHL games in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Zohorna has scored 32 points.

In 25 games for the NHL club, the Czech has 10 points so far. Clearly, Calgary sees something in him that could help their team as they continue to search for a top-six forward. Sonny Milano's PTO does not seem to be going well, so maybe Zohorna provides what Darryl Sutter needs.

Insider Frank Seravalli suggests the Pens might lose another player to waivers, suggesting they tried to trade Pierre-Olivier Joseph to all 31 other teams. Since they traded for Ty Smith, it appears Smith could earn Joseph's spot, sending him to the waiver wire.

With the Penguins' prospect pipeline already skint, they can hardly afford any further excavations like this. Pittsburgh will already field the NHL's second-oldest team at 29.61 years old, per EliteProspects.

The club has long relied on its development staff to seamlessly integrate minor-leaguers into their NHL system when injuries arise. Their superiority in this plight has made the Penguins a perennial Stanley Cup contender since they drafted Sidney Crosby in 2005.

Once again, Pittsburgh heads into a season with a next-man-up mentality, while management does what they can to insulate their core veterans.

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