CRANBERRY, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins made a surprising move on Wednesday, placing goaltender Tristan Jarry on waivers.This decision comes amid a challenging season for the 29-year-old netminder, who has struggled to find consistency in his performances.
Jarry, currently in the second year of a five-year, $26.875 million contract signed in July 2023, has posted an 8-8-4 record this season with a 3.31 goals-against average (GAA) adn an .886 save percentage.His recent performances have been underwhelming, allowing three or more goals in four of his last five starts.The Penguins, sitting at 18-20-8, have lost three consecutive games and seven of their last eight, further complicating their playoff aspirations.
“It’s tough,” Jarry admitted after a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, where he allowed three goals on 17 shots. “A loss is a loss, at the end of the day, but I thought the team played well. Thay did a good job. … I think we’ve just got to get back to the things that have been working for us.”
Jarry’s season has been a rollercoaster. After a rocky start with a 5.47 GAA and.836 save percentage in his first three games, he was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American hockey League (AHL) on a conditioning loan in late October.He excelled in the AHL, going 4-1-0 with a 2.16 GAA and.926 save percentage, earning a recall to the NHL in early November.
Upon his return, Jarry expressed his determination to contribute to the team’s success. “I want to come back here and I want to play well. That’s my goal,” he said on November 10. “That’s what I want to do.I want to help this team as much as possible. whenever I’m in the net, I think (about) giving them a chance to win and helping this team get in a good place.”
Despite a brief resurgence, including a four-game winning streak in late November and early December, Jarry’s struggles resurfaced. He has gone 3-5-3 since that stretch, raising questions about his role with the team. Penguins general manager kyle Dubas confirmed that Jarry has no health concerns and will be reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton if he clears waivers.
Last season, Jarry tied for the NHL lead with six shutouts, sharing the honor with notable goaltenders like sergei Bobrovsky and Connor hellebuyck. However, his overall performance declined, finishing with a 19-25-5 record, a 2.91 GAA, and a .903 save percentage—his worst numbers in a season with at least three games played.
With Jarry’s future uncertain, the Penguins will rely on Alex Nedeljkovic, who has shared the starting role this season. Nedeljkovic, who missed time earlier in the year due to a lower-body injury, has posted a 7-7-4 record with a 3.40 GAA and .886 save percentage. The team also plans to recall 23-year-old prospect Joel Blomqvist from the AHL to form a goaltending tandem with Nedeljkovic.
Jarry’s journey with the Penguins began in 2020 when he took over as the team’s No.1 goaltender following the trade of two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray. Selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft, Jarry has compiled a 144-93-29 record with a 2.75 GAA and .910 save percentage in 279 regular-season games. Though, his playoff performances have been less impressive, with a 2-6 record and a 3.00 GAA in eight postseason appearances.
The Penguins, who have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons after a 16-year streak of postseason appearances, are currently four points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Mike Sullivan emphasized the need for improved defensive play following Tuesday’s loss. “What needs to change is a commitment to play defense. That’s what I think,” sullivan said. “I’m worried about making sure that we play defense. If we play defense, we’ll win games.”
As the Penguins navigate this turbulent season, the decision to waive jarry marks a pivotal moment in their quest to return to playoff contention. Whether Jarry clears waivers or finds a new opportunity elsewhere, his future remains uncertain, leaving fans and analysts alike to ponder what’s next for the once-promising goaltender.
What are Mike Thompson’s thoughts on Tristan Jarry’s chances of staying with the Pittsburgh Penguins?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: A Conversation with NHL Analyst and Former Goaltender, Mike Thompson, on Tristan Jarry’s Waiver Situation
By Archys, Archyde News editor
CRANBERRY, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins’ decision to place goaltender Tristan Jarry on waivers has sent shockwaves through the NHL community. To unpack this surprising move, archyde sat down with Mike Thompson, a former NHL goaltender and current hockey analyst, to discuss Jarry’s struggles, the Penguins’ season, and what the future might hold for the 29-year-old netminder.
Archyde: Mike, thanks for joining us. Let’s start with the big news: Tristan Jarry has been placed on waivers.What’s your initial reaction to this move?
Mike Thompson: Thanks for having me. Honestly, it’s a bit of a shock. Jarry has been a cornerstone for the penguins for several years, and he’s in the second year of a five-year, $26.875 million contract. Placing him on waivers is a bold statement from the organization.It tells me they’re looking to shake things up, but it also raises questions about their confidence in him moving forward.
Archyde: Jarry’s season has been a rollercoaster. He started poorly, was sent to the AHL for a conditioning stint, and then returned with some solid performances. What do you think has been the biggest issue for him this year?
Mike Thompson: Consistency, without a doubt. Goaltending is such a mental position, and when you’re struggling, it can snowball quickly. Jarry’s early-season numbers were alarming—a 5.47 GAA and an .836 save percentage in his first three games. That’s tough for any goalie to bounce back from.
His time in the AHL seemed to help—he went 4-1-0 with a 2.16 GAA and a .926 save percentage. But since returning to the NHL, he hasn’t been able to sustain that level of play. Allowing three or more goals in four of his last five starts is concerning,especially for a team like the Penguins,who are fighting to stay in playoff contention.
Archyde: The Penguins are 18-20-8 and have lost seven of their last eight games. How much of their struggles can be attributed to jarry’s performance?
Mike Thompson: It’s not all on Jarry. Hockey is a team sport,and the Penguins have had their share of issues—defensive breakdowns,lack of scoring depth,and injuries. But when your starting goalie isn’t performing at his best, it’s hard to win games. Jarry’s .886 save percentage this season is well below his career average,and that’s a problem.
That said, the timing of this move is interesting. The Penguins are clearly in a tough spot, and they’re sending a message that no one’s job is safe. It’s a wake-up call for the entire team.
Archyde: Jarry has been with the Penguins for his entire NHL career. What’s your take on his future with the team?
Mike Thompson: It’s hard to say. If another team claims him off waivers, that could be the end of his time in Pittsburgh. But given his contract and recent struggles, that’s not a guarantee. If he clears waivers, the Penguins could send him to the AHL to work on his game, or they might keep him as a backup and hope he regains his form.
Jarry is a talented goalie—he’s proven that in the past. But the NHL is a results-driven league, and the Penguins are in win-now mode. They don’t have the luxury of waiting for him to figure things out.
Archyde: What advice would you give Jarry as he navigates this challenging time?
Mike Thompson: First, he needs to block out the noise. The media, the fans, the speculation—it can all be overwhelming. He’s got to focus on the basics: his positioning, his rebound control, and his mental approach.
Second, he needs to lean on his support system—his coaches, teammates, and family. Goaltending can be a lonely position, but he’s not alone in this.
he has to remember why he’s here. Jarry has worked incredibly hard to get to this level, and he’s had success in the past. This is just a bump in the road, and with the right mindset, he can bounce back.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what do you think this means for the Penguins’ playoff hopes?
Mike Thompson: It’s going to be an uphill battle.They’re currently outside the playoff picture,and this move signals that they’re willing to make drastic changes to turn things around. Whether that means bringing in a new goalie or giving more playing time to their backup,they need to find a way to stabilize their goaltending situation.
The Penguins still have a lot of talent on their roster,but time is running out. If they want to make a push for the playoffs, they’ll need everyone—goaltenders included—to step up.
Archyde: Mike, thanks for your insights. It’s been a pleasure having you on.
Mike Thompson: Thank you.It’s always great to talk hockey, especially during such a pivotal moment in the season.
Stay tuned to Archyde for more updates on Tristan Jarry and the Pittsburgh Penguins as the NHL season continues.
