Penguins Prospects Update, Part Three: Goaltending

There are some exciting developments down on the farm for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With more talent in the system than they’ve had in recent memory, the Penguins have several prospects of interest to keep an eye on. Today, we will take a look at how the organization’s goaltending prospects are faring this season.

Joel Blomqvist

This one has an obvious conclusion, as Blomqvist got his second call of the season to the NHL after Tristan Jarry was waived by the Penguins on Wednesday.

At the NHL level this season, Blomqvist has a .904 save percentage over nine starts for the Penguins, with his most recent being Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. As mentioned in other pieces, this includes an outlier dud against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 11, when he gave up three goals on eight shots. Taking out that game, Blomqvist’s save percentage is .912 while facing an average shot volume of 36.

But he had been putting up good numbers at the AHL level this season as well, consistent with his NHL numbers. The save percentage is identical at .912, and he started 12 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate – with a 6-4-2 record.

His lateral mobility and athleticism are two of the things that separate him from the two other guys – Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic – who have been at the NHL level for most of the season. Blomqvist will get an extended opportunity during his second NHL stint in the coming weeks to solidify himself as Pittsburgh’s starting goaltender.

Filip Larsson

Larsson, 26, was signed in free agency by GM Kyle Dubas after spending a few years playing overseas following the pandemic. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round of the 216 NHL Draft, and he did play in one AHL season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, going 2-5 with a measly .843 save percentage. He also saw time in the ECHL that same season.

But the story is much different this season for the Swede. In 13 AHL games this season, Larsson is 7-4-1 with a .929 goals-against average and four shutouts. He’s been, arguably, the best goaltender in the Penguins’ system this season.

Unfortunately, Larsson sustained a lower-body injury in a Jan. 15 matchup against Laval, and although he avoided anything serious, he is week-to-week. If Larsson can come back from injured reserve and put up the same kinds of numbers he did prior to his injury, the Penguins will have another good NHL-ready option at their disposal.

Sergei Murashov

Murashov is, perhaps, the most talented goaltender in the Penguins’ system. And his numbers in the ECHL this season certainly back that up.

For the Wheeling Nailers this season, the 20-year-old Murashov has gone 15-3-1 with a .919 save percentage. Because of the injury to Larsson, he got the call Sunday to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he is expected to tandem with Jarry at the AHL level. He had a brief AHL stint at the beginning of the season when Blomqvist had his first NHL stint, going 2-0 with a .919 save percentage.

Murashov’s athleticism in the system is unmatched. He is very quick and makes saves not many others can make – and he needs to work on his rebound control – and his raw talent is probably the best of the Penguins’ goaltending prospects.

The Russian goaltender still needs some development before he is NHL-ready, but nonetheless, Penguins fans should be excited about seeing Murashov within the next few years. In three seasons prior to 2024-25 between the KHL and the MHL – Russia’s junior league – Murashov never posted a save percentage below .925.

Taylor Gauthier

Gauthier, 23, has spent the past three seasons toggled between Wheeling and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Given the Penguins’ depth at the goaltending position and with Larsson at the AHL level, Gauthier has spent the entire 2024-25 season in Wheeling.

And he has put up good numbers. Like Murashov, he has posted a .919 save percentage, and he is 6-4 in 10 games. An undrafted signee, he is a bit of a wild card – like Larsson – but he has really settled in at the ECHL level over the last two years, as he put up a a 24-16-1 record with a .923 save percentage last season en route to ECHL Goaltender of the Year honors.

In two AHL stints in 2022-23 and 2023-24, he put up save percentages of .907 and .889, respectively. Gauthier’s path to the NHL would be a difficult one – given the talent that’s in front of him – but he should be a reliable depth option for the Penguins.

Jaxon Castor

Castor, 27, is another undrafted goaltender out of St. Cloud State for the Penguins. He played two games with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL in 2022-23 – the same season he also posted a 14-8-1 record with a .924 save percentage and a 2.02 goals-against average for St. Cloud State.

After spending the 2023-24 season backing up Gauthier in Wheeling for the Penguins’ organization, he walked in free agency but was signed to a PTO by Wilkes-Barre on Dec. 6. In just one AHL game with Wilkes-Barre this season – on Jan. 15, when he made his AHL debut after relieving Larsson – Castor made 26 saves on 30 shots and got the overtime loss.

Given Murashov’s impending recall, it seems unlikely that Castor sticks around at the AHL level. He is likely headed to the ECHL to back up Gauthier.