Here’s a bold move that’s sure to spark debate: the Pittsburgh Penguins have decided to part ways with WBS goalie Filip Larsson, placing him on waivers with the intent to terminate his contract. But here’s where it gets controversial—is this a strategic decision to free up resources, or a missed opportunity for a player who’s shown promise? Let’s dive in.
With a solid goaltending lineup at both the NHL and AHL levels, the Penguins seem confident in their current roster. Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs are holding down the fort in the NHL, while top prospects Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist are dominating the crease for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. And this is the part most people miss—by terminating Larsson’s contract, the Penguins are actually giving him a chance to explore better opportunities elsewhere, rather than potentially demoting him to the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers.
Larsson, a 27-year-old sixth-round pick by Detroit in 2016, had a standout season in Sweden during 2023-24, posting an impressive 19-9-0 record for Leksands with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. This performance caught the Penguins’ eye, leading them to sign him to a two-year deal. However, his time with WBS has been less consistent. Last season, he went 12-9-3 with a 2.84 GAA and .910 save percentage in 26 games. This season, after traveling to Sweden as the Penguins’ third goalie for two games, he’s appeared in just nine AHL games, posting a 3-2-1 record with a 3.51 GAA and .876 save percentage.
Here’s the controversial question: Did the Penguins give Larsson enough time to prove himself, or was this move inevitable given the depth of their goaltending pipeline? While some may argue that his limited playing time this season didn’t allow him to showcase his full potential, others might point to the strong performances of Murashov and Blomqvist as justification for the decision. What do you think? Is this a fair call, or did the Penguins let go of a player who could’ve contributed more given the right circumstances? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
