Tristan Jarry Losing Job With Penguins
With the season approaching its end, Tristan Jarry's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins might be wearing thin.
PITTSBURGH – Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins took a massive risk with who they chose as their goaltending duo. Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic were both in need of a bounce-back season, and the Penguins took a big wager on them.
The Penguins gave Jarry a five-year contract worth $5.375 million annually and Nedeljkovic a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. With both netminders needing to show they can still cut it as NHL starters, the Penguins were set for an interesting season between the pipes.
Not only did Jarry and Nedeljkovic succeed this year, but they were arguably the main reason the Penguins stayed in playoff contention for as long as they did. There could have even been a fair argument to be made that a goalie controversy was brewing.
Jarry put that controversy to rest with a string of good starts, but something has flipped for him. With nine games remaining in the season, it feels like Nedeljkovic has taken over as the Penguins’ starting goalie.
Nedeljkovic has taken four straight starts, securing at least a standings point in each one. With a 2-0-2 run, he is doing all he can to keep the Penguins’ slim playoff hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Jarry just hasn’t been the same goalie since the end of February. In his last 11 appearances, Jarry has a 2-7-1 record with 38 goals against. Holding a .875 save percentage in that time, Jarry has been pulled from three of his last seven starts.
It’s important to note that those two wins came against the Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks, the worst teams in each conference. Jarry still allowed three goals in each game.
Not only had Jarry seemingly lost his starting job for this season, but there might be more questions regarding his future in Pittsburgh this offseason. Nedeljkovic has played well enough to deserve another contract with the Penguins, possibly as the full-time starter.
The Penguins also hope their top goalie prospect, Joel Blomqvist, is ready to make the NHL jump next year. He has made a ton of noise in his first AHL season and is expected to put up a fight at training camp.
It will be yet another interesting Summer for the Penguins goaltending situation. All eyes will be on Kyle Dubas and how he decides to retool the position.
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