The only big numbers associated with Radim Zohorna are his vital statistics.
And it's safe to assume that his size -- Zohorna is 6 foot 6, 233 pounds -- had a lot to do with the Penguins' interest in signing him as a free agent recently.
Being that big has some obvious advantages, but there can be a downside, as well.
Players as large as Zohorna often are unable to skate well enough to keep up with the pace of play in the NHL, and Jim Rutherford acknowledged that Zohorna's ability to get around the ice could go a long way toward determining whether he claims a spot on the major-league roster at some point next season.
"His skating is adequate, but that would be the one thing we would watch for at camp," Rutherford said. "Sometimes, with players like this, they need a little time in Wilkes-Barre to make that adjustment, or maybe they make the adjustment right away. The good thing is, he's got the hockey sense and that can make up for some other things."
The Penguins signed Zohorna, 24, to a one-year, two-way contract after Derek Clancey, their director of player personnel, scouted him throughout the 2019-20 season.
Zohorna had 10 goals and 12 assists in 46 games with BK Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic during the past season, one year after putting up five goals and one assist in 13 games with the same club.
Those stats don't suggest a very high offensive ceiling, although Rutherford believes Zohorna is capable of better stats.
"We think he can put up more numbers than what he's done," Rutherford said. "But we project him as a bottom-six guy (in the NHL)."
That is, of course, if Zohorna proves that he's capable of competing and contributing at the level necessary to claim a place on the parent club.
"We'll have a better idea at training camp," Rutherford said. "He's a big guy with good hockey sense who has got some experience. It's always hard to tell until you see those guys over here on the smaller ice and everything, but obviously, we like this player."
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