The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without their young goaltender. Joel Blomqvist, who will be out for a minimum of four weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury, the club confirmed Friday. The news deals a blow to both Pittsburgh’s depth in net and Blomqvist’s push for a larger role heading into the 2025–26 season.
Injury Details and Timeline
The exact circumstances of Blomqvist’s injury remain unclear, though it was confirmed following his lone preseason appearance against Montreal. In that outing, he stopped 11 shots in just over a period before leaving the crease as scheduled. While he did not appear visibly hindered, the team later revealed a more significant issue, ruling him out for at least a month.
With a recovery window stretching into mid-October, Blomqvist is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason and possibly the early portion of the regular season. The Penguins have not committed to a firm timetable, suggesting they will proceed cautiously with his rehabilitation.
Blomqvist’s Role in Pittsburgh
At 23, Blomqvist is considered one of Pittsburgh’s most promising young players. He made 15 NHL appearances last year, posting a 4-9-1 record with an .885 save percentage and a 3.81 goals-against average. While his numbers at the top level were inconsistent, his play in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton remained steady. This was highlighted by a .914 save percentage in 18 games. Over his AHL career, he has built an impressive .918 save percentage and recorded two shutouts.
The organization views Blomqvist as a long-term candidate to support or eventually challenge Tristan Jarry for starts. This setback, however, slows his momentum at a critical point in his development.
Impact on Penguins’ Goalie Depth
With Blomqvist sidelined, Pittsburgh’s goaltending chart is more clearly defined. Jarry enters the season as the established starter, while newly acquired Arturs Silovs now locks in as the primary backup. In the AHL, Sergei Murashov and Filip Larsson are likely to take on bigger roles until Blomqvist returns.
Outlook Moving Forward
While the timeline projects a return in mid-October. The Penguins will not rush Blomqvist back, especially given the importance of his long-term health. Missing camp and early-season games reduces his chances of pushing for NHL time immediately, but the organisation still sees him as a key part of their future in goal.
For now, Pittsburgh will rely on Jarry and Silovs to shoulder the load, while Blomqvist focuses on recovery with the hope of rejoining the crease later this fall.
Main Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
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