Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov is prepared — but patient — for his NHL debut
Sergei Murashov experienced a career and life moment Thursday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect dressed for an NHL game.
OK, sure, he didn’t actually play in the game, and the most strenuous activity he was engaged in was opening and closing the bench door as teammates made line changes during a 5-3 win against the hated Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena.
But being part of a lineup for an NHL game of consequence offered quite a bit to the young Russian who tends to view things with a profound perspective.
“It’s a good experience before an actual game because you see how it all works,” Murashov said Friday in Cranberry. “You can imagine yourself playing. You’re preparing for the game and see just different developments. You’re not scared to jump into that.
“It’s a good experience before a real game.”
It remains to be seen when Murashov’s first appearance in a real game will be, but it’s a good bet the 21-year-old will make his NHL debut this weekend in one of two afternoon contests on back-to-back days.
The Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, then host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
Coach Dan Muse declined to identify his starting goaltender for either entanglement Friday, but Murashov seems more than prepared — but also very patient — for the moment.
“I would say no rush in time for me,” Murashov said. “Today is a good day for practice. Just preparing. Maybe playing, maybe not. Obviously, it’s a dream from childhood. But just keeping my presence with me and be ready if I play.”
His play in the American Hockey League this season would suggest that. In seven games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Murashov had a 5-2-0 record, a 1.73 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and one shutout.
With veteran starter Tristan Jarry sidelined by an undisclosed injury, Murashov was recalled to the NHL roster Tuesday.
“He works really hard,” said defenseman Ryan Graves, who was summoned from Northeast Pennsylvania on the same day. “He takes his craft seriously. He works really hard in practice. He’s a really good guy. He takes care of himself.
“He genuinely enjoys the game.”
The Penguins, under former general manager Ron Hextall, used a fourth-round draft pick on Murashov (No. 118 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Given that he was acquired with a mid-range draft selection, as well as the always uncertain nature of getting prospects out of Russia, there weren’t a ton of external expectations — good or bad — for Murashov, who catches the puck with his right hand, something of a rarity in hockey.
(Right-catching goaltenders are often referred to as “silly siders.”)
Mainly, there were questions over when — or if — he could come to North America, given the geopolitical complications of his home country, which, more often than not, create impediments for professional athletes.
So, when he attended a prospect development camp and then signed a three-year entry-level contract in July 2024, there was a measure of surprise over him simply being here in the Western Hemisphere.
The success he has enjoyed with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton — as well as with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL last season — shouldn’t be a surprise.
“He’s poised,” said forward Danton Heinen, another recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday. “On the ice, off the ice. He’s a very driven kid, you can tell. He works hard at his craft. Very focused. That’s something you can tell.”
While his ascension through the organization isn’t quite as momentous as the debuts of previous goaltenders of the future, such as Marc-Andre Fleury in 2003 or Matt Murray in 2015, the moment he steps into a crease for a “real game” will be significant, especially for a franchise that has begun shifting to younger players.
It will also be significant in his hometown of Yaroslavl, which is about four hours to the northeast of Moscow.
“My mom (Larisa) loves to watch games when I play,” Murashov said. “I definitely have a good community of support that I truly appreciate. They will probably watch it. It’s not a late game. It’s just evening in Russia.
“I definitely feel their support all the time, no matter where I’m playing.”
When he’ll be playing remains a question, at least publicly. But Murashov will be ready for that moment.
“Doing everything I can do right now,” Murashov said. “When that day will come, we’ll see.
“Just as I always say, just stay in the moment.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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