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Future in Pittsburgh Unclear for Penguins Forward Following Surgery
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The future of Penguins forward Boko Imama, who mostly played an enforcer role on the ice, is unclear after he underwent surgery and played in only 16 NHL games.
The role of an enforcer on NHL rosters has mostly gone by the wayside, as teams now have little utility for a player with limited offensive abilities who are paid literally for the use of their fists more than anything else.
Forward Boko Imama, who had mostly played in the AHL in his professional career in both the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators organizations, was inked to a 1-year, 2-way contract by the Penguins last July 1.
He would appear in 16 games, scoring once while picking up 30 penalty minutes. He also played in 24 games with the AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with 47 penalty minutes and 5 points (3G, 2A).
But his season ended when he suffered an injury to his right bicep that required surgery to repair in late March. He was also Pittsburgh's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy.
In his yearly review of every Penguins roster player, Pittsburgh journalist Seth Rorabaugh of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review opined that while the door is open for another new contract for Imama, Imama's one true value is that of a physical force and that his health could be a concern.
Imama has specifically stated he would like to re-sign with the Penguins. And given the jubilation management seemed to have for him, a continuation of this union would seem to be an agreeable outcome to each party.
The main concern is his health, obviously. For a guy whose primary value as a player - only value, frankly - is in being physical and combative, it's fair to be curious how he'll rebound from his injury.
The main concern is his health, obviously. For a guy whose primary value as a player - only value, frankly - is in being physical and combative, it's fair to be curious how he'll rebound from his injury.
However, he closed with one positive note of optimism.
But should the need arise for the Pittsburgh Penguins to need a fourth-line enforcer, there are few better at that role than Imama.
Imama has 31 games of NHL experience, and has also played with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
| POLL | ||
MAI 17 | 98 ANSWERS Future in Pittsburgh Unclear for Penguins Forward Following Surgery Do you want Boko Imama to re-sign with the Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 57 | 58.2 % |
| No | 41 | 41.8 % |
| List of polls | ||