Stuck in a crowded three-goalie logjam, the Oilers' high-priced netminder faces a make-or-break season where his performance determines if he is a long-term starter or prime trade bait.
When Stan Bowman spoke to the media after Free Agency opened, the update on Tristan Jarry sounded like a vote of confidence. "Yeah, Tristan's going to be back," Bowman said. He wasn't leaving any doubt regarding the goaltender's future, even though the way Jarry played implied doubt. But what Bowman didn't say and how he followed up his comments this summer by bringing in two other goaltenders paint a different picture about Jarry's job security.
It would be nice to believe Jarry is coming into the 2026-27 season with a clean slate. A new coach helps spin that narrative. We all know it isn't true, however. Jarry is walking into a three-goalie logjam as the netminder with the most to prove. He's got the asterisk beside his name because, frankly, he was pretty bad last season.
It's why Edmonton traded for Devon Levi from Buffalo and signed Stanley Cup champion Frederik Andersen in free agency. It's why they let a decent goalie, Connor Ingram, walk in free agency. Bowman confirmed that they wanted an upgrade, and the Oilers' plan is to carry all three goaltenders on the active roster to start the season.
This decision will result in someone being left out. The minute Bowman feels the safety net he created, he will reveal his starter and his backup; someone could be gone.
Jarry Has To Dig Himself Out Of A Hole
When Bowman was asked directly about the goaltending situation at the start of the offseason, he said the team was "definitely looking for improvement" in goal. He acknowledged that the decision to trade for Jarry didn't pan out as hoped.
Jarry posted a .858 save percentage and a 3.86 goals-against average after losing his form to injury. If Jarry is back, similar numbers won't fly. If he bounces back, his status might still not be guaranteed.
Jarry is signed for two more seasons at $5.375 million — by far the largest cap commitment of the three goalies on the roster. Moving him this summer would have meant selling low and eating money for a player coming off a rough stretch. Should he show signs that he's improved or found his game, a real argument can be made to sell high (or at least, higher).
Recent reporting has pegged Jarry as the early front-runner for the No. 1 job. I'm not sure I love the idea of picking your starter based on salary. Don't double down on a bad bet. What the Oilers might do is play Jarry in situations where he's best spotlighted. Make him look like a legit starter. Hope that it increases the odds that a team will be convinced to give Jarry a shot.
Jarry gets his opportunity. He just doesn't get much room to waste it. He's either good enough to become a viable trade option, or he's not good enough to stick it out the entire season.
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