It remains to be seen if Sergei Murashov will become a standout goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The front office and coaching staff are quietly hopeful. Many of his current and former teammates are convinced.
“Trust me,” veteran forward Kevin Hayes said last season while Murashov was joining the Penguins in Sweden. “I knew it in my first training camp with him. Total star. You’ll see.”
Maybe we will. The talent is clear, and his foray through professional hockey has been nothing short of brilliant. The NHL is the biggest test, of course.
Talented goaltenders come and go. Some make it, some don’t. But if they don’t have the right mindset, they have no chance in the NHL. Mental toughness is a requirement. Being a good teammate shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Teams playing for their goaltender is real, at least to some extent. If you love the guy between the pipes, you’re a little more likely to backcheck harder and throw your body in front of an Alex Ovechkin one-timer.
Time will tell whether Murashov is good enough to be the Penguins’ goaltender for the next decade. There’s no question, though, that, as a person, he is equipped for the job — and then some.
Objectionable personalities exist in hockey, as they do everywhere, but the sport has plenty of good and likable people in its orbit. Fairly or not, many of them are criticized for being dull. Some people want more charisma, better interviews or more stances on political topics. NHL players are too boring, they say.
They’ve never met Murashov. He is many things, all wrapped into one. His teammates speak of him with a notable affection. Back in May, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins had just won Game 4 of their AHL conference final series in Toronto. Forward Rutger McGroarty, smiling after the game, was asked about Murashov.
“F—ing Sergei,” McGroarty said. “You have no idea how much we love that guy.”
Actually, it’s quite clear.
What makes Murashov so interesting — other than a thoughtfulness that is rare for a 22-year-old who is about to become very wealthy — is how authentically he can shift gears.
He’s a man of great calm and peace, except for when a fight breaks out in a game. He’s been known to jump into a brawl or two, just for the fun of it. That versatility was on display on Tuesday, when I spoke with the young goaltender from Yaroslavl, Russia. A handful of people were in the room, and he carried the conversation effortlessly without dictating it. This is his way: He listens with even more intensity than he speaks.
He’s also every bit as independent as he is a man of the people.
Last summer, Murashov was feeling a little restless one weekend, so he drove to Niagara Falls just to see it. On another summer trip to Minnesota, a group of teammates spotted Murashov casually strolling past them. The thing is, Murashov didn’t come on the trip with them, and they didn’t even know he was there. He was just passing by, taking in America, one stop at a time.
This summer, so curious was he about American culture, Murashov traveled all the way to the land of Ohio. He hit the Afterburn Music Festival outside of Cleveland and even “danced quite a bit.” He then made his way to Cincinnati to take in the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament.
Before you think Murashov only enjoys life alone, consider his relationship with that Wilkes-Barre group that nearly made it to the AHL final.
“When I see those guys after the summer, we don’t shake hands,” he said. “We hug.”
Murashov spent most of his summer in Russia. You can see how important his native country is to him on his face. He knows much of his life moving forward will be spent in North America, but he doesn’t forget where he came from or the people he loves in Russia. He speaks similarly about his teammates in Wilkes-Barre.
Murashov said the experience during the playoffs last spring was “precious” to him, not just because he excelled during the playoff run, but more because of the strengthened bond among Murashov, Avery Hayes, Harrison Brunicke, McGroarty, Bill Zonnon, Owen Pickering and others. They are largely the future of the Penguins, after all.
“It was a special time,” he said.
So, too, was his brief appearance in the NHL last season. In telling a story of his first time as the Penguins’ backup goalie, Murashov let his humor shine. Last November, the Penguins were hosting Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in a nationally televised showdown. The Penguins won, 5-3. Crosby scored the game’s first two goals.
“I’m on the bench as the backup,” Murashov explained. “Sid had a big night. He scored, and he skates to the bench and high-fives everyone, but not me. I didn’t understand. So, then he scored again. And I’m sticking my whole body out on the ice from the bench, making sure he sees me and high-fives me this time. My chest is sticking out on the ice. But he did it again. I was the only guy who didn’t get a high-five. I was so confused.”
After the game, the captain walked over to Murashov. It wasn’t personal, Crosby said with a smile.
“Superstition,” Murahsov said. “He doesn’t always touch the backup goalie after he scores a goal. I’m a goalie, so I understand superstitions. I felt so much better after he told me that.”
Perhaps, for just a moment, Murashov was afraid Crosby didn’t like him. Of course, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. And if things go as planned, Crosby will be joined by a whole city in his appreciation for Murashov.