In any language, Penguins forward Radim Zohorna's hopes are clear

Early in training camp, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Radim Zohorna did something he wouldn’t have dared to do last season as a rookie.

He told a joke when speaking with the media.

Kind of.

When the 6-foot-7 Zohorna chatted with reporters approximately two weeks ago, he was asked about the challenges of a person of his dimensions squeezing into a cramped airplane.

Smiling through a surgical mask, Zohorna pulled his right knee up toward his torso.

“I had my legs like this.”

OK, no one is going to confuse him with Bill Burr or Dave Chappelle, but seeing the Czech-born Zohorna display the confidence to offer a zinger in English was no laughing matter.

Playing in North America last season for the first time, Zohorna’s handful of interactions with the media usually were limited to a few phrases and/or cliches as he nervously responded to queries through video conferences.

“My English is still not so good,” Zohorna said in person recently. “So I need to learn more words. I hope it will better through the year. … It will be easier.”

Roughly half a year after he made his NHL debut, his command of English has improved. And so have his hopes of being a steady NHL player.

With the Penguins’ considerable issues at center with franchise icons Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin sidelined because of injuries, Zohorna has been given an extended look at center this preseason. In three games, he has one goal.

During a 4-2 road loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, he centered the Penguins’ top line in what was a lineup mostly bereft of NHL regulars. Logging 13 minutes, 44 seconds of ice time on 20 shifts, Zohorna had three shots.

“I think (Zohorna) is just more comfortable this year,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He knows what to expect. It’s not a new environment, it’s not his first time over to North America. He’s used to playing on an NHL ice surface. That in of itself is a huge adjustment. We’ve been really impressed with (Zohorna’s) game since we’ve had him, since he’s been a Penguin.”

The Penguins signed the undrafted Zohorna out of the Czech Republic in April 2020, and he made his NHL debut in March. In eight games last season, Zohorna scored four points (two goals, two assists).

Capable of playing wing, Zohorna primarily has been deployed as a center so far this preseason.

“Center is harder because the center must skate more than the wing,” Zohorna said. “Play in the (defensive) zone and be in the (offensive) zone, too. It’s harder, but I feel comfortable (at) center.

“I can play center, wing. I don’t care.”

While Zohorna remains anxious when conversing with reporters in English, he apparently has mixed in well with his teammates despite some language barriers.

“He’s not a shy person,” said defenseman P.O Joseph, who played extensively with Zohorna with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season. “Whenever he talks, he talks a lot. Of course, his English is getting better and better. He’s not shy to use it.

“It’s a big thing when you change country or you change the culture. You just have to jump in. I think he’s doing a really good job with it. He’s a great guy. He’s a good player, and he’s adapting really good.”

Regardless of the verbiage, Zohorna’s aspirations entering the season are clear in any language.

“I just want to be on the team,” said Zohorna, 25. “Last year was so amazing. I learned so much from this team. I just want to be a part of this team.”

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