Recent trade rumors involving the Pittsburgh Penguins have primarily centered on Eric Carlson, especially following their acquisition of right-handed defenseman Matt Dumba, prompting some to believe the 35-year-old Carlson might soon be traded. Meanwhile, questions have surfaced about Tristan Jarry’s place on the team after goaltender Shirov was added earlier this week.
Jarry, who has been frequently linked to trade discussions over the past two seasons, has faced challenges maintaining consistency as the Penguins’ starting goalie. He even spent part of last season playing with their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while trying to regain his form. Jeff Marek from Daily Faceoff highlighted the addition of Shirov to Pittsburgh’s goaltending roster and noted that promising goalie Joel Bromqvist is expected to take on a larger role this season, raising the question of whether Jarry could be traded.
Marek suggested the Edmonton Oilers as a potential trade partner. While rumors hint at the possibility of a goalie swap, no ideal options have emerged. Jarry’s inconsistent performance does not clearly improve on Edmonton’s current goalies, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Additionally, even if the Oilers were interested, salary cap constraints pose a problem, even with Pittsburgh willing to retain half of Jarry’s salary through the 2027-28 season.
Meanwhile, in Montreal, Mike Matheson has become a trade candidate following the Canadiens’ recent acquisition of Noah Dobson. Although General Manager Kent Hughes has dismissed any plans to trade Matheson, the 31-year-old defenseman will be an unrestricted free agent next July. Some experts suggest the Canadiens might use him as trade leverage to bring in experienced second-line centers.
Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens’ vice president of hockey operations, expressed confidence in Matheson’s value, praising his leadership, experience, skill set, and his ability to play around 25 minutes per game. However, if Montreal falls out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline, Gorton and Hughes might reconsider. For now, Matheson is expected to remain in the lineup when the season begins in October.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for hockey fans as it highlights critical roster moves that could redefine team dynamics ahead of the season, especially in key positions like goaltending and defense. These trade possibilities reflect the ongoing efforts by teams to balance experience and potential, which could significantly impact playoff outcomes and the sport’s competitive landscape.
