Kral spent 2023-24 with the Pelicans of Liiga after leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022-23 but has signed a one-year contract worth $775,000 AAV and will be returning to Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old defenseman had five goals and 37 points in 46 games with the Pelicans and brings two games of NHL experience to Pittsburgh.
Kral will head back to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) after getting a quick cup of tea in the NHL. Across two games the 23-year-old only managed to see an average TOI of 9:58, while getting one shot and zero points. He will hope to return to the big club sooner rather than later.
Kral will replace Victor Mete as Mark Giordano's defensive partner for Saturday's game in LA.
Kral has been recalled from the Marlies (AHL) for the second time this season after Kyle Clifford was placed on the injured reserve Wednesday. Through three games with the Marlies, he has zero points and a -1 plus/minus prior to the call up.
Kral enjoyed a strong preseason before eventually getting sent down to the Toronto Marlies to start the 2022-23 season. With the announcement of Jake Muzzin being placed on the IR, Kral will get his first taste of NHL action in the veteran's absence. The 22-year-old had zero points in his first two games with the Marlies prior to being called up.
Kral was a fifth-round pick in 2018 and finished his third season in the WHL with 12 goals and 37 assists (49 points) in 53 games with the Spokane Chiefs. The 20-year-old defenseman was a two-time World Juniors participant, scoring two goals in 12 combined games while representing the Czech Republic in 2018 and 2019.
