- Kyle Dubas says Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist will compete for an NHL roster spot this fall
- Arturs Silovs signed a one-year, $2.8 million deal in July and projects as the starter
- Read below for what Dubas said about the Penguins goalie battle
The Penguins are not handing anyone a job in net this fall.
Kyle Dubas was asked where his two goalie prospects fit heading into the 2026-27 season, and the general manager made it clear both are getting a real look at training camp.
“My full expectation is that the two of them, Sergei and Joel, will be competing for a roster spot here this year,” Dubas said, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com. “I think they both have earned, over years now, the chance to compete for that.”
Sergei Murashov looks like the one to beat. The 22-year-old went 24-9-3 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 38 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season, good for third in the AHL in both categories.
He is 36-12-4 with a 2.33 GAA and a .917 save percentage across two AHL seasons. The record book in Wilkes-Barre already has his name in it:
The NHL sample was short. In five games with Pittsburgh last season he went 1-1-2 with a 2.56 GAA, a .897 save percentage and one shutout. He allowed four goals on 55 shots over his first three appearances, then gave up eight on 50 in his last two and went back to the AHL.
Joel Blomqvist has the longer NHL resume and the uglier numbers. He is 4-9-1 with a 3.81 GAA and a .885 save percentage in the league, and he did not appear in a game for Pittsburgh at all last season. His AHL work was strong again, sixth in goals-against average at 2.40 and seventh in save percentage at .913.
Arturs Silovs is the incumbent. The 25-year-old signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract on July 5 after going 19-12-8 with a 3.07 GAA, a .887 save percentage and two shutouts in 39 games.
Pittsburgh also has one fewer body in the mix. Stuart Skinner, who arrived in the December trade that sent Tristan Jarry to Edmonton, signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal with Winnipeg on July 1.
Dubas talked about the crease as a group when he was asked who the true No. 1 is.
“It’s an area of good strength and depth for us, but the guys have earned that. It hasn’t been given,” Dubas said. “For us, it’s just continue to watch them, give them the opportunity.”
Murashov is at least dressed for the part. Take a look at the new mask the Penguins showed off last week, painted with nods to his hometown and to Pittsburgh:
A cheap answer in goal would help a team already paying Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson. Dubas is letting camp decide whether Murashov is that answer.
