The Pittsburgh Penguins have not had the season they hoped for and barring a miracle will miss the playoffs for the third-straight season. However, there have been several players who have still been performing at a high level, including goaltender Tristan Jarry. The Penguins have some decisions to make this summer especially when it comes to the goalie position.
Jarry Is On A Hot Streak
Jarry has had a rough season in Pittsburgh, to say the least. After stumbling out of the gate with a 5.47 goals-against average and a .836 save percentage (SV%) in three starts, the Penguins sent him down to the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a conditioning loan on Oct. 26. He returned to the NHL in November, but remained as inconsistent as ever and was finally placed on waivers on Jan. 15.
Jarry cleared waivers and has been down in Wilkes-Barre working on his game until Pittsburgh recalled him on March 3. Since returning to the NHL he has looked like a different goalie. His first game back was against the Minnesota Wild on March 9 where he made 30 saves and had an assist to help boost the Penguins to a 3-1 victory. His second start came on March 11 against the Vegas Golden Knights. when he stopped 35 of 37 shots and helped his team get the 3-2 overtime win.
There is something different about Jarry’s play since his return to Pittsburgh. He is more confident and he has been challenging shooters left and right. He’s also not allowing soft goals and he’s making the tough saves. His most recent appearance against the New Jersey Devils was no different as he stopped 25 of 28 shots and allowed only one five-on-five goal in the Penguins’ 7-3 victory.
In true Penguins fashion, the team has waited till the end of the regular season to put their best foot forward. They have now won four games in a row and sit six points out of a wild-card spot. It is still highly unlikely they will see the postseason from anywhere but their living rooms, but Jarry has definitely made things interesting.
When Jarry was demoted in January, the overwhelming feeling was that his time in Pittsburgh had more than likely come to an end. Fast forward to now, and some feelings may have changed. His current contract which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $5.3 million, runs through the 2027-28 season. Back in January, the conversation was more than likely about how to best get rid of his contract and now it is probably more about whether he can take back the starting position.
Related: 3 Takeaways From Penguins’ 5-3 Win Over Blues
The other possibility is that Pittsburgh is giving Jarry the opportunity to boost his trade value as much as possible. If there is one word that describes his career with the Penguins up to this point it’s “inconsistent.” He has played solid in net through the first half of the season only to disappear in the second half or in the playoffs. The front office has no reason to believe he has suddenly turned over a new leaf and will play like he has played in the last four games from here on out.
Who Will Be The Starting Goaltender Next Season?
Because of Jarry’s contract, there is a good chance he will remain in Pittsburgh next season, but should he be the starter? His track record is not the best, and the Penguins may want a clean break. Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov, the current tandem in Wilkes-Barre, may be the fresh start the team is looking for. The only thing that is certain is that general manager Kyle Dubas has a busy summer ahead.
