PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins have decided to part ways with their two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry, placing him on waivers on Wednesday. This move comes just days before an important seven-game road trip that could significantly impact the team’s season.
Jarry, 29, has struggled this season, posting a record of 8-7-4 along with a goals against average of 3.32 and a save percentage of .886. The Penguins find themselves on the edge of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, largely due to inconsistent performance in their goalkeeping. With a league-high total of 173 goals allowed, neither Jarry nor fellow netminder Alex Nedeljkovic has been able to gel with a defense that has shown its vulnerabilities throughout the season.
To address their goaltending situation, the Penguins plan to promote rookie Joel Blomqvist, who will join Nedeljkovic on the upcoming road trip starting Friday in Buffalo. Blomqvist had a brief stint with the Penguins earlier this season, where he recorded three wins against five losses, with a goals against average of 3.60 and a .904 save percentage.
It is deemed unlikely that another team will claim Jarry and take on his salary, meaning he will likely be reassigned to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, once he clears waivers. Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas stated, “At this point, I feel it’s best in the long run for the team and for Tristan to let Joel come up here. We think over the past year-and-a-half, he’s earned the right to have a go at it.”
This decision follows Jarry’s signing of a five-year contract averaging $5.375 million per season about 18 months ago. Although he was an All-Star in 2020 and 2022, his performance has declined considerably over the last two seasons. Dubas acknowledged Jarry’s hard work but expressed that things have not developed as expected on the ice.
Last spring, Jarry lost his starting position to Nedeljkovic but regained it heading into training camp. His return to the lineup was marked by more struggles, and he has recently lost five consecutive starts. Troublingly, he has allowed a goal on the opposing team’s first shot six times this season and conceded a shorthanded goal after just two shots during a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby reflected on the situation, noting, “When you lose, this is the kind of stuff that can happen. A goaltender already has a ton of pressure, and it’s difficult for us because we feel like as a team we’re responsible if we don’t give our goalies enough help sometimes.”
Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan has urged his team to address defensive lapses that have opened the door for opponents, yet he remains optimistic that Jarry can eventually return to form. “You don’t make the All-Star team twice without talent and the ability to make timely saves,” Sullivan said. “I know that Tristan has it; I believe to my core that he’s capable of being an NHL goaltender.”
