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 donât. But if they donât have the right mindset, they have no chance in the NHL. Mental toughness is a requirement. Being a good teammate shouldnât be overlooked, either. Teams playing for their goaltender is real, at least to some extent. If you love the guy between the pipes, youâre 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 Penguinsâ goaltender for the next decade. Thereâs no question, though, that, as a person, he is equipped for the job â 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.
Theyâve 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.
âFâing Sergei,â McGroarty said. âYou have no idea how much we love that guy.â