Tristan Jarry has been a solid goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins ever since he started in the NHL as a full-time goalie since the 2017-2018 season. In his career, Jarry has 137 wins, 19 shutouts, a goals against average of 2.72, and a save percentage of .911.
However, last season was Jarry’s worst of his career as he started 51 games and had a record of 19-25-5. His goals against average of 2.91 was the highest of his career as a full-time starter. Also, his save percentage of .903 was thew lowest of his career as a full-time starter. When the Penguins went on a huge point streak late last season, backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was a large part of the reason why as he started most of the games.
Penguins fans were hoping from a strong bounce back season from Jarry. However, the complete opposite is happening as he is somehow regressing. This season so far has been even worse for Jarry. In just three games, Jarry has a record of 1-1. Both his goals against average (5.47) and save percentage (.836) are the worst of his career.
Tristan Jarry Sent To The AHL
A week ago, the Penguins sent Jarry to the AHL for a two-week conditioning stint. This conditioning stint in Wilkes-Barre will allow him to spend some time against lesser competition and fix whatever issue he is having.
Why This Works For Him?
This is a great move for him as he gets to thrive in the AHL which will allow him to regain his confidence and composure. So far in the AHL, he has done exactly that as he has a record of 2-0, a save percentage of .922, and a goals against average of 2.40. However, it is just two games so it is a small sample size, but if Jarry can continue to impress, he should be back to his old self once he gets called back up to Pittsburgh.
Why This Is Good For The Penguins?
In addition to Jarry, this move is also very good for the Penguins as well. At the beginning of the season, the Penguins had a good issue in three goaltenders worthy of playing. Jarry, backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic off a great season, and rookie Joel Blomqvist. With Jarry in the AHL in his stint, the Penguins can really evaluate if Nedeljkovic can handle the workload and pressure of a starting goaltender again.
Alex Nedeljkovic
It took four games, but Nedeljkovic finally got his first win of the season Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks. His record now stands at 1-2-1 this season. Nedeljkovic was awesome in that game against the Ducks as he made some incredible saves to keep the Penguins in the game and eventually give them the win. He stopped 22/23 shots for a .957% save percentage.
So far this season, Nedeljkovic has not looked solid either as he has a losing record, a save percentage of just .890% and a goals against average of 3.18. Nedeljkovic needs to step it up this season or he could be moved or even sent down once Jarry comes back.
The Penguins should not keep three goaltenders on the main roster. Also, if the Penguins want to go with the cheaper and younger option it would make sense to go with Blomqvist as the backup to Jarry.
Joel Blomqvist
Joel Blomqvist’s rookie campaign so far is not going as well as the Penguins or himself imagined. In just six games, he has a record of 2-4 and a goals against average of 3.46. However, his save percentage is decently well at .909% which leads the team so far.
To be fair to the Penguins goaltenders however, some of the goals they have allowed have not been their fault. The Penguins defensively have been abysmal this season. In terms of expected goals against, Marcus Pettersson and Erik Karlsson have been some of the worst defenceman in the league.
It will be interesting to see once Jarry returns from his conditioning stint, what the goaltending room will look like. Also, if Jarry automatically returns as the starting goalie.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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