Penguins waive forward Radim Zohorna, 4 others

With the NHL’s deadline to submit a season-opening roster approaching at 5 p.m. Monday, the Penguins took some of their final steps toward that endeavor on Sunday by waiving five players.

Forwards Vinnie Hinostroza, Colin White and Radim Zohorna, defenseman Mark Friedman and goaltender Magnus Hellberg were all waived. Should they clear by 2 p.m Monday, they will be free to be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Zohorna is the most notable name of the quintet given that he had a productive preseason. The left-hander was tied for second on the team in scoring with three points (one goal, two assists) and 10 shots in four contests.

The 27-year-old is signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. Initially joining the Penguins in March of 2021 as an undrafted free agent signing, the native of Czechia was waived by the Penguins in October of 2022 and wound up being claimed by the Calgary Flames.

Hinostroza, 29, is signed to a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of ($775,000). In four games this preseason, Hinostroza, a right-hander, has one assist and eight shots.

White, 26, attended the team’s training camp on a professional tryout contract (PTO) and then signed a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000 on Saturday. In four games this preseason, White, a right-handed shot, had no points and eight shots.

Friedman, 27, is entering the second year of a two-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000. A right-handed shot who can also play the left side of a defensive pairing, Friedman has appeared in three games this preseason with no points and three shots. He has been a member of the Penguins since being claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers in February of 2021.

Hellberg, 32, is signed to a one-year contract with a salary cap hit of $785,000. The left-catching goaltender played in one game this preseason, making 16 saves on 19 shots. Last season, Hellberg went through waivers on three different occasions and was a member of three teams — the Ottawa Senators, Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings.

The latter four players were absent from Sunday’s practice. So were forward Austin Wagner and defenseman Libor Hajek. Both players attended training camp on PTOs. It is believed Hajek has already left the team.

The left-handed Wagner, 26, appeared in three games this preseason and scored one goal with five shots.

Hajek, a 25-year-old left-hander, played in three contests this preseason, recording one assist and one shot.

Following practice, coach Mike Sullivan did not provide any updates on their statuses but suggested there would be clarity on that matter by Monday.