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Penguins' Boko Imama Gives Latest Update on His Difficult Injury Recovery
Photo credit: The Daily Faceoff
Penguins forward Boko Imama, who was hurt in March, gave the latest update on his health and his thoughts on his new 1 year contract extension with the team.
Among the many moves from Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas this summer was re-signing forward Boko Imama to a new 1 year contract.
Imama's contract has an AAV (average annual value) of $775,000.
He suffered a bicep injury in March that required surgery, ending his 1st year with the Penguins. But he's on the road to recovery and is extremely happy that he was able to get a contract extension while also pointing out that he wasn't interested in talking with any other NHL team.
I'm very grateful to be re-signed, to come back again better, stronger. I was very happy. I mean, that's the only thing I wanted, right? I'm happy the team felt the same. I didn't want to test the market or nothing like that. I just had one team in my head. That's how we got it done quick, because I just wanted to be a Penguin again. I love it there.
Imama was Pittsburgh's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which annually goes to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
The Penguins are Imama's 3rd NHL team
Imama was taken with the 180th pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings shortly afterward. He never played a game for the Kings, instead spending time with the AHL affiliate Ontario Reign.
He was once again traded, this time to the Arizona Coyotes where he played 5 games along with 50 for the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners.
He later signed a 1 year deal with the Ottawa Senators; he played in the organization in 2023-24 before agreeing to join the Penguins last summer.
He has 2 goals in 31 career NHL games.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 21 | 41 ANSWERS Penguins' Boko Imama Gives Latest Update on His Difficult Injury Recovery Will Boka Imama see regular ice time with the Penguins this year? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 56.1 % |
| No | 18 | 43.9 % |
| List of polls | ||