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PITTSBURGH — There is a growing sentiment in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization that goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov will be ready to start next season in the NHL.

This past season, the Penguins’ ideal scenario was for the 22-year-old goaltender to spend an entire season in the AHL. Except for a few NHL appearances — he didn’t look out of place — Murashov shone with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He finished the regular season with a 24-9-4 record, 2.20 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.

He was even better in Wilkes-Barre’s first-round playoff victory against Hershey, posting a 1.99 GAA and a .937 save percentage.

The Penguins wanted Murashov to play an entire season in Wilkes-Barre, yes, but they also hoped he might lead their AHL affiliate on a lengthy playoff run. One series down, Wilkes-Barre is a substantial favorite in its second-round series against Springfield, which pulled off a big upset against Providence in its first-round series.

Though Murashov isn’t a finished product, the organization is pleased with his improvement. His puck-handling and rebound control, like so many young goaltenders, are works in progress, but he’s taken strides on both fronts. His athleticism is exceptional. So, too, is his acumen for challenging shooters and reading plays.

The Penguins have several intriguing goaltending prospects, including Joel Blomqvist, who also had an excellent season in Wilkes-Barre, and Gabriel D’Aigle, a 2025 third-round pick whom the Penguins love.

Murashov tops the list, though. Everyone I talk to within the organization says Murashov is on pace to be the man in the Penguins’ net — likely next season. I’d be surprised if Murahsov and Artūrs Šilovs aren’t the Penguins’ top two goaltenders come September.

Pardon my repetition, but Murashov’s maturity is off the charts. You don’t hear the word “professionalism” used to describe a 22-year-old very often, but I hear it about Murashov all the time.

Zonnon on the rise

It’s Bill Zonnon time in Wilkes-Barre.

The 22nd pick in the 2025 NHL Draft is expected to make his AHL debut in the second round. In a QMJHL season marred by injuries, Zonnon still put up 46 points in 35 games for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

You’re going to want to monitor him. In the days following the draft, the Penguins brass was every bit as excited about Zonnon as Ben Kindel, whom they loved from the start.

Only 19, Zonnon is 6 feet, 2 inches and 190 pounds. He’s a fast, straight-line player who’s big and fearless. Some people within the organization think Zonnon’s floor is a third-line NHL center. He can play wing, too, but he’s a natural center. I believe the Penguins will keep him in the middle moving forward.

I estimate he’s still a year away from being NHL-ready. His target for a debut might well be the 2027-28 season. As with Kindel, however, the Penguins won’t put the brakes on Zonnon if they feel he’s ready next season. He’s a big part of their future.

Pickering pondering

I’m not sure the same can be said of Owen Pickering, the team’s 2022 first-round pick.

He hasn’t been a disaster by any stretch in Wilkes-Barre, but I sense that he’s never going to become a mainstay on the Penguins’ blue line. I just don’t think Pickering, drafted by former general manager Ron Hextall, has ever endeared himself to the current Penguins regime. Personally, I didn’t think he looked horrible in his 29 NHL games over the past two seasons, but I don’t think the decision-makers were all that impressed. His skating isn’t great.

He screams “change of scenery.”

Sneaky defense depth piece

Finn Harding, the Penguins’ seventh-round pick from 2024, is doing a very nice job on the Wilkes-Barre blue line. One team source recently told me, “You never really notice him when you watch that team play. And I mean that in a good way.”

Harding doesn’t have star potential, and might not even have top-four potential in the NHL. Still, he could become a Ben Lovejoy-type player, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Because Erik Karlsson will be 36 when next season begins, and Kris Letang is 39, the Penguins will need some help on the right side of their blue line soon. Harrison Brunicke, a 20-year-old defenseman selected in the second round of the 2024 draft, has had a strong AHL postseason and could make the team next season. Harding could be in the mix in a depth role, too.

McGroarty’s skating

Reviews of Rutger McGroarty are decidedly mixed.

The Penguins love his size, intangibles and ability to elevate his game in big moments, which he’s done in the AHL postseason.

There is still organizational concern, however, that McGroarty’s skating isn’t where it needs to be. It’s always going to be the problem with the 2022 first-round pick, until it isn’t.

Bargain buy

The Penguins already intended to bring 26-year-old forward Connor Dewar back into the fold. His playoff performance made the decision even easier.

Team sources told me the Penguins were especially pleased with how Dewar played against the Flyers. Given how he’s played in Pittsburgh, his ability to elevate his game and his age, the Penguins feel like they got a bargain at $2.25 million annually.

Acciari’s future

You never know — and GM Kyle Dubas’ appreciation of Noel Acciari is well known — but I’d be surprised if the undrafted veteran forward makes his way back to Pittsburgh next season. Acciari, 34, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Acciari enjoyed an uptick in his production and performance this past season, but Dubas is eager to make the Penguins younger as soon as possible. Acciari can still play, and I have no doubt he’ll get a job somewhere, but I don’t see it in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins have to get younger at some point, and letting Acciari walk is one way to create an opening.