Blomqvist has encouraging start in Prospects Challenge

Joel Blomqvist in net for the Penguins at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, N.Y. on FridayBUFFALO, N.Y. -- Joel Blomqvist could very well be the Penguins' future No. 1 goaltender.

Blomqvist, 21, was the Penguins' second-round pick in 2020. He is the team's top goaltending prospect, and one of the Penguins' top three prospects overall.

This season will be a crucial step in Blomqvist's development. After spending the last two seasons in the top professional league in his native Finland, Blomqvist was at a crossroad this offseason. The Penguins held his negotiating rights for one more season. That means that he could have gone back to Finland, and worked toward having a full, successful season…