The Penguins have a decision to make in regard to their goaltending this summer. Stuart Skinner is set to be an unrestricted free agent, and Arturs Silovs a restricted free agent, with Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist clearly outgrowing their 1A/1B setup in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
That setup won't continue into next season, Dubas all but confirmed on Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. And while he didn't outright say they'll let Skinner walk, he made clear that there will be a goaltending battle in camp between some of their younger goaltenders, right after immense praise for Silovs' showing this season and into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We'll continue to watch in the playoffs and see how Sergei plays," Dubas said. "Joel has been here a long time, and Sergei has run with the ball here in the playoffs. We'll see how that continues to progress and use that as a measurement, but my full expectation is that the two of them, Sergei and Joel, will be competing for a roster spot here (next season). We'll make a decision on the other one."
Dubas divulged their plans further, saying that they could "supplement" the then-open spot in the AHL by re-signing Taylor Gauthier, presumably to share the net with whoever doesn't get the NHL job between Murashov and Blomqvist. If re-signing Gauthier doesn't "work out," Dubas said, the Penguins could go and sign a veteran goaltender on the open market for that role.
"But we have a lot of confidence in Taylor," Dubas said. "And we think he's earned that as well. There's been some excellent progression there."
Dubas called the goaltending depth as a whole an area of strength going into next season, and praised the goaltenders they have for their work in giving them that depth.
THE ASYLUM
Dubas: Murashov, Blomqvist to fight for NHL role
The Penguins have a decision to make in regard to their goaltending this summer. Stuart Skinner is set to be an unrestricted free agent, and Arturs Silovs a restricted free agent, with Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist clearly outgrowing their 1A/1B setup in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
That setup won't continue into next season, Dubas all but confirmed on Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. And while he didn't outright say they'll let Skinner walk, he made clear that there will be a goaltending battle in camp between some of their younger goaltenders, right after immense praise for Silovs' showing this season and into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We'll continue to watch in the playoffs and see how Sergei plays," Dubas said. "Joel has been here a long time, and Sergei has run with the ball here in the playoffs. We'll see how that continues to progress and use that as a measurement, but my full expectation is that the two of them, Sergei and Joel, will be competing for a roster spot here (next season). We'll make a decision on the other one."
Dubas divulged their plans further, saying that they could "supplement" the then-open spot in the AHL by re-signing Taylor Gauthier, presumably to share the net with whoever doesn't get the NHL job between Murashov and Blomqvist. If re-signing Gauthier doesn't "work out," Dubas said, the Penguins could go and sign a veteran goaltender on the open market for that role.
"But we have a lot of confidence in Taylor," Dubas said. "And we think he's earned that as well. There's been some excellent progression there."
Dubas called the goaltending depth as a whole an area of strength going into next season, and praised the goaltenders they have for their work in giving them that depth.
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