Ek's Note... Today we debut a possible new writer to cover the always interesting and always controversial of Pittsburgh Penguins. Her name is Kayla Rosen and I've known her for a couple years now as she sends me a emails over about the Penguins, that I always felt like she has a good personality. It's very similar to how I discovered Eric Engels. He just was the guy who sent me emails all the time too.... and now he's all Sportsnet! So please welcome Kayla and let her know what you think of her in the comments... and if you want a chance to write for a team, we are hiring people between now and the end of January and all you have to do is send an email to me eklund at hockeybuzz.com and put in the subject "writer." and the best thing to do is just do a state of the union of your team. Keep it to about the same length of this article and we'll post it for everyone to read and we'll see what they think. I am so excited about the new writers we have at HockeyBuzz right now really young group and there are so knowledgeable.
Why Murashov Should Be Pittsburgh’s Answer in Net
by Kayla Rose
As a Penguins fan, I’ve seen this team cycle through every type of goaltending plan imaginable. But this situation feels different. After the Tristan Jarry trade brought Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh, the Penguins aren’t dealing with a simple starter-backup setup, they’re juggling four legitimate options while trying to stay competitive in a brutal division.And while management may view this as a short-term balancing act, from my perspective, the solution might already be clear.
Skinner and Šilovs: Holding the Fort.
For now, Stuart Skinner and Artūrs Šilovs are expected to carry the NHL workload, with Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist closely monitored in Wilkes-Barre. On paper, that’s reasonable. In reality, it feels too temporary. Almost like everyone SHOULD be playing it this way....but...
Šilovs has the strongest résumé. He’s proven himself in high-pressure moments, winning Best Goaltender honors at the 2023 World Championship and backstopping a Calder Cup run in Abbotsford. At 24, he’s poised and capable.
Skinner brings his experience, but also his questions. His 2.83 GAA and .891 save percentage before the trade reflect a goalie who can win games, yet struggles with consistency. With unrestricted free agency looming, he feels more like a bridge than a long-term answer.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Murashov
This is where things get interesting. Sergei Murashov doesn’t just look like a prospect—he looks like an opportunity. The 21-year-old dominated in the AHL last season (12-3-0), earned his NHL chance quickly, and responded with a shutout in his second start. In limited action, his 1.38 goals saved above expected at 5-on-5 stands out. More than the numbers, though, it’s the composure. He plays calm, tracks well, and doesn’t get rattled by traffic or chaos. For a young goalie, that matters.
Blomqvist and the Depth Advantage
Joel Blomqvist is quietly having a strong season in the AHL, sporting a .930 save percentage. If he’s your third option, you’re doing something right. But development requires opportunity, and not everyone can get it at once.
Dubas Has Options, What He Does With Them Will be Telling
Kyle Dubas finally has flexibility in net. Moving Jarry’s contract opened the door, and Skinner’s expiring deal keeps the risk low. If Skinner struggles, the Penguins can pivot quickly, and this time, they have real alternatives.
From my perspective, that pivot should lead to Murashov.
Why I think this is simple.
What separates this situation from past Penguins goalie experiments is depth and youth. Šilovs, Murashov, and Blomqvist are all 24 or younger and trending upward.
But if I’m choosing the goalie I want to see given a real opportunity, it’s Murashov. He may have the smallest résumé, but he has the calm, the metrics, and the trajectory of someone who could be more than a stopgap. As a Penguins fan, I don’t want another temporary solution. I want to see the future—and Murashov looks ready to Mur-a-Shov his way to claim the future
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