The article discusses the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent roster moves, particularly involving Alex Nedeljkovic’s placement on the Injured Reserve. The Penguins sent Radim Zohorna down to the minors and called up Corey Andonovski as part of a salary cap maneuver.
Radim Zohorna, who had performed well in two NHL games, initially started the day on the Penguins’ third line but ended up being sent to the Wilkes-Barre minor league team.
These moves are connected to a larger strategy by Pittsburgh, which includes placing Alex Nedeljkovic on long-term injured reserve due to an injury he sustained in a recent game against Dallas. Zohorna and Andonovski’s involvement in these moves is due to salary cap considerations.
Radim Zohorna’s cap hit is $775,000, and Andonovski’s is $925,000 for the season. Zohorna can be temporarily “assigned” to the minors, creating a salary cap difference of +$150,000. This move allows the Penguins to get as close to the salary cap limit as possible for the day.
The Penguins have placed goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic on injured reserve and re-assigned forward Radim Zohorna to the @WBSPenguins.
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg and forward Corey Andonovski have been recalled from WBS. pic.twitter.com/Lh0KIpVVeC
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 25, 2023
The plan is to return Zohorna to the NHL roster and move Nedeljkovic to long-term injured reserve the following day, resulting in a more favorable cap situation. Magnus Hellberg has been called up to the NHL under emergency conditions, but he will return to the AHL once Nedeljkovic is healthy. The emergency designation avoids the need for him to pass through waivers.
The article also notes that Hellberg’s return to the AHL might be delayed due to Nedeljkovic’s expected absence for at least 24 days and the next 10 games. Hellberg could see NHL action during this time.
The article clarifies that LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve) doesn’t provide additional cap-space savings or allow banking cap space for future use. It offers relief if the team’s payroll exceeds the upper limit when a player is placed on LTIR.
In summary, the article discusses the Penguins’ strategic cap management moves, Nedeljkovic’s extended absence, Hellberg’s increased importance, Andonovski’s temporary NHL pay, and Zohorna’s continued role in the NHL plans.
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