The NHL hasn’t been kind to Libor Hajek since being drafted in 2016, but the former Pittsburgh Penguins roster hopeful is eyeing a return. Hajek joined the Penguins organization on a professional tryout before training camp ahead of the 2023-24 season.
With 110 NHL games under his belt with the New York Rangers, Hajek was a sleeper choice to make the Penguins roster out of camp. Hajek was eventually moved to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins where he later signed a one-year deal.
After 11 games with the WBS Penguins, Hajek and the team mutually agreed to terminate his contract. After termination, Hajek returned to his native Czechia to play with HC Dynamo Pardubice for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Despite signing a five-year contract, it appears Hajek is ready for another crack at the NHL. According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Hajek is eying a return.
“I have heard that he is looking to come back into the NHL,” Friedman said.
A separated shoulder and issues within the Rangers lineup kept him from reaching his full potential in his initial stint in the NHL. With a little more time to grow and improve his game, perhaps another team in the NHL is willing to give him another crack.
Hajek hasn’t played a game at the NHL level since December 12, 2022.
