Penguins Terminate Goaltender Filip Larsson’s Contract
The Pittsburgh Penguins have initiated the process to terminate the contract of goaltender Filip Larsson. The team placed him on unconditional waivers on a recent Tuesday, allowing other teams until 2 p.m. Wednesday to make a claim. If he remains unclaimed, he will be free to sign with another team.
Filip Larsson’s Contract Status
Currently, Larsson is with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of Pittsburgh. He signed a two-year, two-way contract that runs until the end of this season, carrying a salary cap hit of $775,000. However, his playing time has been constrained this season, primarily due to the emergence of goaltending prospects Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov.
Season Performance Summary
- Games Played: 9
- Record: 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 overtime loss
- Goals-Against Average: 3.51
- Save Percentage: .876
Larsson’s latest appearance occurred on January 3 during a loss to the Syracuse Crunch, where he came on in relief of Murashov. In prior statements, head coach Kirk MacDonald noted that Larsson had taken a “back seat” to the younger goaltenders.
Previous Season and Contract Offer
Larsson had a notable performance during the 2023-24 season with Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League. He finished with a 19-9-0 record, including a goals-against average of 1.93, a save percentage of .920, and five shutouts. His impressive stats led to a lucrative contract offer from the Penguins in April 2024. If he remains with the AHL team this season, he will earn $500,000.
AHL Tenure
During the 2024-25 season, Larsson emerged as the top goaltender for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. His statistics included:
- Games Played: 26
- Record: 12 wins, 9 losses, 3 overtime losses
- Goals-Against Average: 2.84
- Save Percentage: .910
- Shutouts: 5
Larsson’s contributions were vital in helping his team qualify for the AHL playoffs.
Background and Career Path
Before joining the Penguins, Larsson had significant experience playing in North America. He competed at the junior level with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL and later played collegiate hockey at the University of Denver. Larsson also served as a prospect for the Detroit Red Wings, competing in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye.
After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted hockey in North America in 2020, he returned to Sweden. He played for several teams before the Penguins offered him a chance to return to North America, which he eagerly accepted.
Contract Implications for the Penguins
With the contract termination process in motion, the Penguins currently have 47 players signed for the season. The roster limit for NHL contracts is 50. Larsson’s case highlights the complexities teams face in managing player contracts and developing talent for a competitive roster.
