Was Bringing Back Tristan Jarry the Right Move?

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Dylan Stamper. Follow him on Twitter @King_Stamper



Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a rocky ending, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006. That diminished a 16 year run which was the league's best of all time so far. We obviously know that the big three that have led the Penguins to numerous credible playoff runs is a big contribution. But they’ve also had very stellar goaltending from notable guys like Marc-Andre Fleury, and Matt Murray, who have delivered in big moments when it mattered most. 

That is where Tristan Jarry’s name comes into play with those two as the new long term goaltender. Does he fit the category of those types of distinguished players that have defended the net so well enough to take a team like the Penguins to another Stanley Cup?

About three days ago, the Penguins fanbase got the news that Jarry agreed to a new 5 year/ $5.375 Million average a year contract. Many yinzers may find this as some sort of a gamble in a way considering how poorly Jarry has managed to stay conditioned on the ice, combined with being inefficient when needed the most. 

Last year, Jarry finished with a record of 24-13-7, 128 Goals Allowed, 1286 Saves, and a .909 Save percentage. Since 2016, he has only played eight total Postseason games with a record of 2-5-1. Many injuries have slowed Tristan down from getting where he needs to be to stand with the best. 

I personally see him as a boom or bust type of guy that has really good signs of promise at 28 years of age, but could eventually reserve his spot as a backup somewhere.

Jarry was injured for a month last season where the Penguins could not find chemistry, going 4-5 in that span of time, which was crucial to the Penguins playoff hopes. Kyle Dubas is really confident that this two time all star is a necessary piece for the puzzle for years to come. 

Dubas has also added Alex Nedeljkovic to a 1 year/ $1.5 million deal to make a sort of trio with Casey Desmith, who has one year left at $1.8 million. Things will always depend on results but they have really put their hopes in Jarry’s hands in the last few years of the Crosby/Letang/Malkin era. 

A short term deal would’ve been better financially and made more sense to see where the market goes with goaltenders always hitting free agency. Considering what the options were at the position the Penguins felt like Jarry was the best decision for years to come based on the circumstances. He had a great start to last season, but you have to stay stable enough to finish the race. 

It is not a walk in the park to become a top tier Goalie in the NHL. The league is filled with so many young attacking forwards and wings that make it difficult for any goaltender to spot such a small puck in difficult and strange angles. No hockey guru would even sit here and tell you that they could put their feet in Jarry’s skates. But it makes you wonder after seeing a few years of progressively moving away from where the franchise was since the last Stanley Cup in 2017 – with goaltending being a major fall out. Jarry still has plenty of time to grow.

So will Jarry make it count in this five year span? It will be a huge evolving process that the Penguins organization will monitor as the contract plays out. Will it be a decision in the grand scheme of things that will be a major key to getting back in playoff contention for Lord Stanley? 

Only Tristan Jarry’s play can answer that ongoing question leading up to the 2023-24 season.