If someone had claimed a year ago that Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry held genuine trade value, it might have seemed far-fetched. However, recent reports suggest that this is becoming a reality.
According to NHL insider Kevin Weekes, the struggling Edmonton Oilers have shown “significant interest” in Jarry. The Oilers, currently outside the playoff picture during Thanksgiving, are partly hampered by poor goaltending. After 25 games, Edmonton ranks last in team goaltending with a combined save percentage of just .868, a major factor in their playoff struggles.
Stuart Skinner, the Oilers’ main goaltender this season with 18 games played, holds an 8-7-3 record with a 3.18 goals-against average and a save percentage of .878. Calvin Pickard, with nine games this season, has two wins, three draws, and two losses, carrying a 4.04 goals-against average and a .847 save percentage.
In contrast, Jarry, who has ties to Edmonton’s oil history, is part of a Penguins goalie squad ranked third in the league. The 30-year-old has posted a 6-2-0 record this season, including a shutout, with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage—slightly above his career average of .910. This marks a strong recovery season for Jarry after last year’s struggles, which even saw him placed on waivers.
Despite Jarry being the Penguins’ most stable goaltender early this season, the team’s deep goalie roster means trading him—despite his $5.375 million salary in the third year of a five-year contract—might not hurt the team significantly, even as they near a playoff spot.
Arturus Shilovs, acquired from Vancouver, has an average of 2.74 goals-against and a .907 save percentage in 11 games. Meanwhile, promising prospect Mikhail Murashov posted a 1.90 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in four NHL games before moving back to the AHL, where he has dominated with a 1.73 goals-against and a .931 save percentage in seven games.
Additional depth includes Joel Blomqvist, who has impressed in the AHL with a 1.34 goals-against average and .952 save percentage despite a lower-body injury, and Filip Larsson, who offers further backup, albeit with a slow AHL start this season.
Whether Weekes’ trade report gains real momentum remains to be seen. However, if Jarry keeps performing at a high level, more teams will likely express interest. The Penguins, unexpectedly in playoff contention, could face tough decisions about their goaltending future as the season unfolds.
Fan Take: This potential trade buzz around Tristan Jarry is a fascinating development that could reshape the goaltending landscape in the NHL. For hockey fans, it highlights how even strong teams like the Penguins must balance talent depth with strategic moves, ultimately impacting playoff races and team dynamics across the league.
