Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Massive Radim Zohorna Called Up

By Jeremy Ridgewell |
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 28: Radim Zohorna #67 of the Calgary Flames arrives before the game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on December 28, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 28: Radim Zohorna #67 of the Calgary Flames arrives before the game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on December 28, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

On Friday, the Toronto Maple Leafs called up massive forward Radim Zohorna from the Toronto Marlies.

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Zohorna from the Calgary Flames at the 2023 NHL trade deadline for Dryden Hunt.

The Leafs called him up due to injuries in their lineup. Wayne Simmonds missed practice due to sickness. Noel Acciari is not ready to play due to whiplash. Ryan O’Reilly rejoined practice on Friday but in a red non-contact jersey. He continues to recover from a broken finger.

Toronto will be in Ottawa on Saturday to play the Senators and at home hosting the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Zohorna could earn some NHL playing time this weekend. Simmonds is likely a game-time decision for Saturday’s game. If he can’t play, Zohorna will make his Toronto Maple Leafs debut.

There is no timetable for Acciari as the team takes a cautious approach to his neck injury. The Leafs need him to be at 100% for the NHL playoffs. Acciari is a big part of the bottom six and penalty kill. O’Reilly will return to the lineup from LTIR next week.

The Leafs have three games next week, April 4th (Columbus Blue Jackets), April 6th (Boston Bruins), and April 8th (Montreal Canadiens). It is unknown which game O’Reilly will return for.

A Closer Look at Toronto Maple Leafs Radim Zohorna

Zohorna is a 26-year-old from Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.

The 6’6, 220-pound forward went undrafted and signed his first NHL contract on April 29th, 2020. He registered four goals and six assists in 35 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Zohorna played in eight games with the Flames this season but did not register a point.

He’s having a good year in the AHL this season, with 11 goals and 31 points in 46 games. If he does play this weekend, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe will most likely use him on the fourth line. Zohorna will be the largest player on the ice for Toronto, so it will be easy to watch him and see how he performs.

Next. 4 Things We Learned About the Leafs This Season. dark

He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He should use this chance to showcase himself to the Leafs and other teams. At 6’6, 220 pounds, he’s got great size, but is he effective? We could find out as soon as Saturday night in Ottawa.
(Stats and Contract info from capfriendly.com)

Home / Analysis