Marko Zlomislic

Marko is an aspiring sportswriter with a passion for crafting stories while using a combination of the eye-test and (shudder) analytics, which is complemented by an academic background in criminology and political science. When not covering the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins for The Hockey Writers, he can also be found pouring countless hours into various sports video games franchises, indulging in science fiction novels, and taking long runs around his neighbourhood. Marko can be reached through his personal blog at unexpectedgoals.ca, and you can yell at him by following him on Twitter and other social media seen under articles like this one.

Penguins Analytic Takeaways – Jarry, Rodrigues & More

October 19, 2021October 18, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

Now, breathe. The first week of the NHL season is in the books, and the Pittsburgh Penguins kicked off their 2021-22 campaign by winning two of their three games this…

Avalanche 2021-22 Season Preview

October 13, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

After a breakneck pace to an offseason that included Seattle’s Expansion Draft, the 2021 Entry Draft, and the opening of free agency in the span of a week, the 2021-22…

Avalanche & MacKinnon Should Use Fellow Stars as Contract Inspiration

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

It’s early to discuss Nathan MacKinnon’s next contract (he’s not due for an extension until the 2023-24 season) but the ramifications of what should be an enormous deal dictates how…

5 Must-Watch Avalanche Games In 2021-22

October 9, 2021October 9, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

As a congested summer calendar packed with the NHL Entry Draft, the Seattle Kraken’s Expansion Draft, and free agency concludes, all eyes turn to the start of the 2021-22 season.…

3 Bold Penguins Predictions for the 2021-22 Season

October 4, 2021October 4, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

The dawn of a new NHL season is a time for renewal. The hockey universe resumes a familiar voyage through countless ham-fisted memes, inflammatory soundbites, and the highly-anticipated finale of…

Avalanche’s Cale Makar Is the NHL’s Best Defenseman

October 4, 2021October 4, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

Although most would consider Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche one of the NHL’s best defensemen – by whichever definition they abide – he may not rank first within every…

3 Bold Avalanche Predictions for the 2021-22 Season

September 27, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

Ah, the tell-tale signs of fall – the wind bites, the leaves brown, and the start of the NHL regular season rapidly approaches. What better time to fire off several…

Penguins’ Pierre-Olivier Joseph Deserves Bigger Role on Blue Line

September 20, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

The prevailing paradigm of letting prospects marinate in the minors until they’ve ripened is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, giving a young defenseman (such as Pierre-Olivier Joseph of…

Avalanche Training Camp Will Feature 3 Major Roster Spot Battles

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

The opening of training camp is akin to the first day of school – reconvening with familiar faces, reacquainting oneself with the ebbs and flows of a grueling hockey season,…

Avalanche Should Consider These 3 Players for PTOs

September 16, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

Rookie camps are getting underway this week, officially marking an end to the brief reprieve offered by the summer after an offseason which burst forth in a whirlwind of commotion,…

Penguins Have Reason to Consider Trading Sidney Crosby

September 14, 2021September 13, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

To those who managed to suppress their rage at the headline long enough to click through to the commentary, welcome. This is meant to be an honest and rational evaluation…

3 Avalanche Players Ready to Break Out in 2021-22

September 10, 2021 by Marko Zlomislic

The task of projecting potential breakout candidates from teams within the NHL’s elite is always a much more arduous endeavor than having to sift through the scraps of the league’s…