The Pittsburgh Penguins currently have 3 goalies on their roster, but one is not with the big club currently and is playing for the Penguins AHL team, the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins. Tristan Jarry was sent down to the minors on a conditioning stint after starting the season off poorly, and it made way for rookie Joel Blomqvist.
Blomqvist has played out of his mind so far for the Penguins and should be the starting goalie moving forward. Yes the Penguins have a more experienced goalie on the current roster in Alex Nedeljkovic, but he has played quite bad lately and has been outplayed by Blomqvist.
Blomqvist is only a rookie and is already stealing games for the Penguins
Nobody expected a rookie goalie that was supposed to get a lot more run in the minor leagues, to have as much impact on the start of a season like Blomqvist has. But the Penguins and their teammates are enjoying this run that the rookie is on.
The Penguins do not have many wins this season, but Blomqvist is playing out of his mind and is the one that they want in net if they are serious about winning games.
In the recent win against the Washington Capitals, Blomqvist was making save after save after save that they have not gotten from their other goalies. He is seeing the puck so well, knows how to play his net, and is just a shining star for the team.
> 2 goals saved above expected for joel blomqvist tonight. would be a real shame if he gets shipped to the A this weekend
— matt (@yinzzzerr) November 9, 2024
Blomqvist is 22 years old, and is stealing games for a professional hockey team as a rookie. He made spectacular stops tonight and deserves all the credit.
Joel Blomqvist has come up with some huge saves this period, most recently stopping Tom Wilson on an odd-man rush and then Ovechkin alone in front! He entered tonight's game leading all rookie goaltenders in save percentage.
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 9, 2024
Moving forward: Blomqvist is your starting goalie
After the win over the Capitals, it is quite evident that Blomqvist is keeping the net and will start more games moving forward. There is no path to Jarry starting another game and Nedeljkovic is not a starting goalie as he is more of a backup.
Blomqvist should honestly be getting Calder Trophy reccomendations and it is only so early in the season. He is that good.