Pittsburgh’s Big 3 Goalie Questions Entering 2026-27 – Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ offensive line may be exciting, but that doesn’t make it safe. If anything, it would be the clearest example of how Pittsburgh’s youth movement can raise the team’s ceiling or make the 2026-27 season more difficult than expected.

President of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas has moved the organization to the junior goalie group. That is understandable. The Penguins needed to escape costly uncertainty and build something long-term. Still, replacing experienced NHL minutes with Artūrs Šilovs, Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist brings a different kind of risk.

Pittsburgh’s goaltending situation became even more important after the team decided against experience, and the challenge of replacing veteran goaltenders should not be overlooked. The group may have many answers on the net, but they also have few proven answers. Here are three big goaltending questions facing the Penguins heading into 2026-27.

Can Artūrs Šilovs Handle the Big Job?

Artūrs Šilovs is the most tested NHL goaltender on the roster, making him the first question. That doesn’t mean he’s already a clear No. 1. It means the Penguins may need him to become one sooner than they are ready.

Šilovs signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract before becoming a restricted free agent this summer. His contract status gives the Penguins one season to evaluate whether he is a short-term bridge, a long-term answer or part of a larger tandem scheme.

Anxiety is a compromise. Šilovs went 19-12-8 last season with a 3.07 goals-against average and .887 save percentage in 39 games, not enough to dispel doubt. His playing times and athletic tools are real, but his regular season numbers still make this a great bet. The Penguins have committed to giving him another option, and his one-year deal keeps the pressure on.

That is why his role is so important. If Šilovs becomes a consistent 1A option, the team’s entire season seems more stable. If he remains flexible, the Penguins could be forced to speed up Murashov’s timeline or lean more heavily on Blomqvist than originally planned.

How close is Sergei Murashov?

Murashov is the most exciting goalie in the organization, but excitement is not the same as readiness. The Penguins have to decide if he’s close enough to push for an NHL career now or if the club’s other American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, is still a smart play.

Murashov ran a strong offense last season. His 2025-26 season review showed how he dominated the AHL, where he posted a .919 save percentage and 2.20 goals against average in 38 regular season games. He was also named to the AHL Top Prospects team after one of the best goaltending seasons in the league.

That’s the opposite. The caveat is that his NHL sample size is small. Murashov has only played five NHL games, and the Penguins not being able to take over the AHL means NHL credibility, and chasing a young goaltender can cause problems that take longer to fix than expected.

Murashov’s three-year entry-level contract, with a cap hit of less than $900,000, makes him the type of cheap interior the Penguins need if they are going to remain flexible while reshaping the program. If he wins the job, that number becomes bigger. If he needs more time, the management may be patient enough to let him continue building.

The best outcome is simple: Murashov forces the issue in the camp. The most difficult result is the one Pittsburgh has to prepare for, when they look close but not quite ready. That will leave them balancing development with the needs of the NHL.

Where Does Joel Blomqvist Fit In?

Joel Blomqvist is easy to overlook because Šilovs has more NHL momentum and Murashov has more prospect buzz. That doesn’t mean Blomqvist is out of the picture.

His new contract is the main reason why. Blomqvist signed a two-year, $875,000 contract, and the structure of the contract keeps him in Pittsburgh’s plans this season. The deal is also useful because it allows the Penguins to keep a reliable third goalie around the NHL program without making a big sacrifice.

Blomqvist’s AHL numbers also support the idea that he deserves to stay in the discussion. His Wilkes-Barre/Scranton profile lists a 2.40 goals-against average and .913 save percentage from last season, strong enough to keep him relevant even if Murashov is the top name.

This is why Blomqvist’s method is complex but not closed. His new deal has already come with a bigger goaltending plan, and that idea remains true in 2026-27. He might start as the No. 1 pick. 3, but the depth of the goal changes quickly. Injuries happen, young players struggle and teams often need more than two goals to get through a long season.

The question is whether Blomqvist is just insurance or a real challenge. If Šilovs struggles and Murashov needs more time, Blomqvist may be more important than expected. If both go clean in front of him, he still gives Pittsburgh valuable depth at a manageable number.

The Penguins Need to Settle in an Unproven Team

All Penguins quizzes are linked. Šilovs has to prove that he can handle more responsibility. Murashov has to show if his AHL dominance is ready to translate. Blomqvist has to get close enough to not care while avoiding being overwhelmed by the two names in front of him.

That’s a lot of uncertainty for one position.

Šilovs’ latest decision in Pittsburgh wasn’t just about keeping a goaltender. It was about giving the organization one season to test if he could be part of the answer. Murashov’s ascension gives the Penguins upside, and Blomqvist’s contract gives them another layer of defense.

However, protection is not the same as certainty. The Penguins are asking a group of young goaltenders to replace experienced NHL minutes while the roster in front of them still has defensive questions. That can work if one goalkeeper takes a big step. It may also be one of the reasons why Pittsburgh is struggling to keep up with the Metropolitan Division.

That’s why scoring might define the Penguins. If the younger team holds on, the team has a chance to be more competitive than expected. If it doesn’t, the rest of the system may not be strong enough to cover the damage.

The upside is true. So is danger.

Heading into 2026-27, the Penguins don’t need all of their goaltending questions answered right away. They need one of Šilovs, Murashov or Blomqvist to make the crease sound less uncertain than it currently does.