Cranberry County — The Pittsburgh Penguins may have a Russian goaltender on their roster this season, or they may not.
In a surprise move, the team brought in 2022 fourth-round draft pick Sergei Murashov from Russia to attend the Penguins' five-day development camp. The goaltender joined the camp late, only being announced a day before. Unfortunately for fans, he's been hiding behind walls in Russia for a few seasons, and even videos have been hard to find.
Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza seemed genuinely excited to have the player in camp, but Murashov's immediate future remains unclear.
“It's not decided yet,” Spezza said. “With the Russian players, it's a little bit complicated to judge their eligibility and where they are, but Sergei is a player we would like to bring over if all goes well.”
Getting Russian athletes to North America wasn't easy, especially during the invasion of Ukraine. The ensuing geopolitical nightmare prevented Russia from participating in international competitions and made travel difficult.
But here are a few things we do know about Murashov. First, he's grown two inches since being drafted, from 6 feet to 6'2″. Second, he's played well in both the KHL and the MHL, Russia's junior league. In four KHL games, Murashov had a .925 save percentage.
We also know the Penguins want to get him on the team as soon as possible, and they appear to have made a lot of effort to get him on the team.
“(If he doesn't come to North America this season) we're going to put him on the right development path in Russia. It's important to have him go directly to Pittsburgh, spend some time with the goalie coach and see what it's like here,” Spezza said. “It creates familiarity for him, whether it's this year or in the future. It's great to have him here and we did everything we could to get him here, even though it was last minute.”
Penguin door opens
Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas addressed the nearly 50 prospects before camp began, and his message, which touched on the team being in a period of transition, was clear: The team wants its prospects to make an impact.
And when that happens, you'll have the opportunity at the highest level.
“Kyle Dubas met with all of us prior to camp and told us he was looking for players who could make an impact on the team,” Yeager said.
Yeager is a key part of the Penguins' youth development. As the 14th overall pick in the 2023 draft, the Penguins haven't selected a player that high in the draft since Derrick Pouliot in 2012.
The team is also focusing on high picks. 2022 first-round draft pick Owen Pickering (21st overall) and 2021 second-round draft pick (but first overall for the Penguins) Tristan Broz have one thing in common.
He's gained weight. Pickering reported he's gained 14 pounds to 200. Broz acknowledged that he's put on a lot of weight since draft day three years ago.
“Looking back to when I was 18, I feel like I've matured a lot coming into camp now,” Broz said. “I've grown a lot. I've matured a lot, I've put on 30 pounds, I've grown physically.”
Pickering and Broz will both turn professional, with Pickering playing a few years with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos and Broz ending his collegiate career with Denver's 2024 national championship before leaving his amateur status behind to try his hand at the NHL and professional hockey.
Read more: Penguins scouting prospects Blomqvist and Broz, and how close they are to being ready (+)
The 21-year-old Broz played in two playoff games for the WBS Penguins and did well. Pickering didn't play a single game this season but will play a few games in 2022-23. He didn't fare as well, but it was a different player, a smaller player.
While these prospects may not see action in the NHL this season, Dubas has extended them invitations and expressed a welcome for them when they're ready.
