The NHL training camp, set for mid-August, is approaching quickly, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for an exciting season. With several new players added this offseason, many athletes are competing for spots on the NHL roster.
One of the most notable contests at this year’s Penguins training camp is the battle for the backup goalie position. The Penguins acquired Artursilov from the Vancouver Canucks, and he is expected to compete with Joel Bromqvist for the backup role.
Silovs spent the majority of last season playing for the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, achieving a 14-5-1 record with a .908 save percentage and allowing an average of 2.41 goals in 21 games. However, he truly shined in the playoffs during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup Championship run, posting a 16-7 record, a .931 save percentage, and maintaining the same goals-against average. For his exceptional playoff performance, he earned the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the AHL Playoff MVP.
Silovs is highly likely to secure the Penguins’ backup goalie spot considering his strong playoff performance in the AHL. That said, the 24-year-old has limited NHL experience, with an 8-8-2 record, a 3.13 goals-against average, and a .880 save percentage over 19 regular-season NHL games. He also appeared in 10 playoff games for Vancouver in 2024, posting a 5-5 record, a 2.91 goals-against average, an .898 save percentage, and one shutout.
Meanwhile, Bromqvist appeared in his first 15 NHL games last season, all against Pittsburgh. He registered a 4-9-1 record, a goals-against average of 3.81, and a save percentage of .885. Although he struggled somewhat in his initial NHL action, he remains a contender for the Penguins backup goalie role.
In the 2024-25 season, Bromqvist played 18 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, earning an 8-7-3 record, a .914 save percentage, and allowing an average of 2.84 goals. Prior to that, he recorded a 25-12-6 record with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage over 45 games at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, giving him a solid edge.
Ultimately, it will be intriguing to see which goalie emerges victorious in securing the Penguins’ backup position.
[Image: Penguin’s Zaraz Forward is a player to watch]
In a quiet move ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded their fifth pick in 2025 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Conor Timmins and forward Conor de Waal. The Penguins later traded Timmins to the Buffalo Sabres, but Dewar remains part of the Pittsburgh roster heading into the 2025-26 season.
Fan Take: This goaltender competition embodies the exciting depth and talent pipeline the Penguins are cultivating, which could significantly impact their season performance. For hockey fans, watching young goalies vie for crucial roles highlights the sport’s dynamic and evolving nature, promising intense action and fresh talent on the ice.
