Pens add top goalie prospect to entry level contract from Russia at just the age of 20
The Penguins have gotten one of the top prospects to put pen to paper. In a very pleasant surprise, goalie Sergei Murashov is coming over to North America.
Sergei is signed ✍️
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 30, 2024
The Penguins have signed goaltender Sergei Murashov to a three-year, Entry-Level Contract.
Details: https://t.co/Iwn3XTiqp3 pic.twitter.com/drAyvjlQf4
From the team:
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed goaltender Sergei Murashov to a three-year, Entry-Level Contract, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.
Murashov, 20, was drafted by the Penguins in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. The goaltender spent the 2023-24 season split between the KHL and MHL, Russia’s top professional league and top developmental league, respectively. In six games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL, Murashov went 3-1-2 with a 1.84 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout. At the MHL level, the goaltender went 24-4-2 with a 2.03 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and four shutouts in 34 games.
The 6-foot-1, 172-pound goaltender has played parts of two seasons in the KHL, both with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, going 4-1-2 through seven games with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Murashov has four seasons of MHL experience, going 73-30-12 with a 2.04 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and 22 shutouts in 125 games.
Murashov was named the MHL’s ‘Best Goaltender’ in 2022-23 after setting MHL career highs in wins (24), goals-against average (1.53), save percentage (.948) and shutouts (11).
Murashov was a surprise attendee to Pittsburgh’s summer prospect camp earlier in the month. Typically unsigned Russian players don’t have the latitude to come over for NHL practices, but Murashov had an expired deal from his hometown Yaroslavl team. He admitted being unsure his next decision; whether to stay in the KHL (for either Yaroslavl or seeking out a new team that might offer more opportunity) or whether to try his hand at coming to America so young. After some thought, he’s opted for the latter.
Murashov turned heads with the Pens in the summer. Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopoulos gushed over the goalie’s capabilities.
When asked if anyone in particular stood out during camp, Tom Kostopoulos mentioned how good it was having Sergei Murashov here. "Watching him compete in drills, he's relentless on the puck, which is a great asset for goalies. Then watching them in the games, it was impressive." https://t.co/TYGiaYWGPw
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) July 10, 2024
“Guy’s disgusting,” is how Owen Pickering described his new teammate. “My first time meeting him, seeing him play, anything. Looked at his Elite Prospects from the second half, and he’s got some really, really good stats. He was a rock back there for us. He was really good. Fun to be around.”
The 24-4-2 record with a .930 save percentage does stand out.
How Murashov will change or impact the Penguins remains to be seen. The organization has Tristan Jarry and recently re-signed Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year extension. Reigning AHL Rookie goalie of the year, Joel Blomqvist, is no slouch himself.
The team did not sign the typical minor league veteran goalie (ala a Magnus Hellberg, Louis Domingue type) to an NHL contract this summer that tend to serve as a stopgap third string, which now looks like a prudent and wise move to allow Blomqvist and Murashov to split the AHL time — with 25-year old recent signee Filip Larsson and ECHL goalie Taylor Gauthier further in reserve as needed.
How quickly Murashov will rise is dependent on how well he does. Murashov could be attempting to follow in the footsteps of Matt Murray — who at age 20 played 40 AHL games and put up a .941 save% and still had to go back to the AHL for the start of a second season before finally getting the NHL opportunity. There’s also the example of Blomqvist, who put up a .921 save% last season in Wilkes.
Similarly, though talented, Murashov still has much to prove and learn about the NHL style of game, with its smaller rinks and different angles than seen in Europe. As mentioned, at 20, he’s still young.
If Murashov is a phenom, he could rocket up the ranks somewhat quickly. Any goalie injury in Pittsburgh will sure be met with a lot of excitement in 2024-25 to see if the Penguins opt for Blomqvist or Murashov to make their NHL debuts.
Pittsburgh needs a lot of young talent all over the ice, but they’re looking mighty fine in the net with the addition of Murashov.
