Penguins Veterans Sound Off on Rising Goalie: 'Work Ethic, Competitiveness, and Pure Talent'
Photo credit: Edit from The Hockey News
Penguins veterans Bryan Rust and Tristan Broz sounded off on rising goalie Sergei Murashov after his incredible preseason performance vs. the Canadiens last night.
Penguins fans first witnessed the authentic side of Sergei Murashov's skill on Monday night when the 21-year-old netminder played his NHL preseason match versus the Canadiens.
After Joel Blomqvist had the net for the first half of the contest, Sergei Murashov entered and stopped 19 of 20 shots over the game's second half, along with overtime, but the Penguins did fall to Montreal in a shootout.
His night included a highlight-reel glove save on Ivan Demidov, an opponent whom he had faced many times in Russia's junior league.
For the shootout, Murashov stopped three of five attempts, turning away Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, and Filip Cesar before Oliver Kapanen won it with a shootout goal.
The fourth-round pick in 2022 wowed with lateral agility and puck tracking in traffic, and his veteran teammates definitely took notice.
From Tristan Broz after Monday night's preseason loss, via Crechiolo: "He's such a stud. I love him so much. I wish we could have got that win for him. He deserved it. He's such a great player and such an inspiring person. So, it was fun to see him do his thing out there. I'm sure he'll build and get better off of it."
From Bryan Rust earlier in training camp, via The Athletic's Josh Yohe: "Yeah, I have noticed him. In fact, I noticed him last year, too. Even before camp this year, I noticed him. It's hard not to notice him. He's that much better this year."
More from Rust: "His athleticism and natural ability are one thing. But what I really see is his work ethic, his competitiveness, how he never gives up on plays. We just seem him putting the work in every day. All of those things add up over time for a goalie."
From Bryan Rust earlier in training camp, via The Athletic's Josh Yohe: "Yeah, I have noticed him. In fact, I noticed him last year, too. Even before camp this year, I noticed him. It's hard not to notice him. He's that much better this year."
More from Rust: "His athleticism and natural ability are one thing. But what I really see is his work ethic, his competitiveness, how he never gives up on plays. We just seem him putting the work in every day. All of those things add up over time for a goalie."
The same agility had translated into a strong rookie season in North America, where he set win streak records in the AHL and ECHL.
Sergei Murashov Started Turning Heads With Dazzling Performances in the AHL Last Season
He was 12-3 with a 2.64 goals-against average, .913 save percentage, and one shutout with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Blomqvist, meanwhile, was perfect through 30 minutes of work, stopping all 11 shots he faced.
The Penguins now have a crowded crease: Tristan Jarry remains on the roster, while Blomqvist, Murashov, Arturs Silovs, and Filip Larsson are fighting for playing time.
General manager Kyle Dubas said preseason performance will override contract status, though Jarry's $5.375 million cap hit complicates matters.
As Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin keep pushing for another go-around, it is apparent that Pittsburgh's requirement is to rebuild quickly.
In the event Murashov's debut was anything to go by, his poise and athleticism may someday establish him as the cornerstone for that quick rebuilding process.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
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