Penguins Perspectives: The trouble with Tristan

Welcome to Penguins Views, a weekly column by KDKA-TV Digital Producer Patrick Damp. Every Monday, Patrick will speak in regards to the week that was, the week to return, what to observe for, and extra.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Proper off the bat, I wish to make this clear – I’m not saying Tristan Jarry is a foul goalie, not within the least. His numbers are proper consistent with that of a real primary goalie.

However, if I can cross sports activities right here and quote Mike Tomlin, “The most effective means is availability.”

Final season, we have been all hoping for a redemption story for Jarry. After a severe meltdown in opposition to the Islanders in 2021, he appeared poised and motivated to place these playoff demons prior to now and lead the Penguins by way of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Then got here a foot damage that held him out till recreation seven in opposition to the Rangers and even then, he was not totally recovered.

To this point this 12 months, in 27 video games, Jarry has posted a .921 save proportion and appeared sharp when he performs.

The issue is because of varied accidents this 12 months, Casey DeSmith has been referred to as into motion 22 instances and Dustin Tokarski has performed two video games.

Now, let’s be sincere, accidents are born of plenty of issues: circumstance, luck, and randomness. To name somebody “damage susceptible” is a little bit of a misnomer. In a sport like hockey, merely stepping onto the ice makes one damage susceptible.

Simply look to the rival Washington Capitals. Not a lot anymore, however early in Alex Ovechkin’s profession, the person performed a bodily model of hockey and he is remained wholesome. You possibly can’t predict or foresee damage.

All of this begs the query, with Jarry set for unrestricted free company on the conclusion of this season, ought to the Penguins lock the goalie up long-term and make the dedication or look elsewhere?

The common season numbers are very promising.

In 178 NHL begins, he is posted a 109-52-18 report and a .916 save proportion. That places him consistent with the save percentages of Andrei Vasilevskiy who has posted a profession .919, Connor Hellebuyck with a .916, and Linus Ullmark who has a .917.

Actually, his .921 this season places him among the many prime goaltenders within the NHL by save proportion with 15 begins or extra.

All of these level to a sure, he is price a brand new deal and remaining in Pittsburgh.

Nonetheless, to date, simply as soon as in his profession has he proven he could be a full-time starter and that was 2021 COVID-19 shortened season when there have been solely 56 common season video games. That 12 months, he began 38 of these 56.

He did carry the load final season, beginning 56 video games and posting a .919 save proportion, however a late-season damage rendered him unavailable for the postseason.

Then, in his solely season because the starter within the postseason, Jarry surrendered 21 objectives in six video games and posted a .888 save proportion in 2021.

Ultimately, I do not suppose it is fairly time to toss Jarry apart.

However that is the place Ron Hextall and the Penguins hockey operations division must be smarter.

Whereas I believe there is a rush to pile on Casey DeSmith’s current performances, it isn’t totally honest. His .912 profession save proportion in 103 NHL begins is fairly effectively in line for being an NHL backup goalie. That’s the place our conundrum begins.

We nonetheless do not have sufficient proof with Jarry on if he could be a constant NHL starter that shoulders the load. Whether or not it is accidents or collapse, the final three years have proven that Jarry, when wholesome, is a reasonably good goalie.

However once more, availability is the very best means.

If Casey DeSmith is beginning each 10 or so video games, we’re in enterprise, however he isn’t a spot starter.

That is the place Hextall and the Penguins have to make their transfer.

Ought to they choose to re-sign Jarry and maintain him right here, shifting the final 12 months of Casey DeSmith’s $1.8 million contract must also be a precedence, and discovering somebody that in concept could possibly be a beginning goalie behind Jarry can be smart.

The free company market this 12 months for goalies just isn’t a robust one which implies Hextall and Burke should get artistic.

Actually, there’s an previous good friend who I believe the Penguins may wish to make a name about – Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Minnesota Wild discover themselves in an identical place because the Penguins, hanging across the postseason, however probably not wanting like a real contender.

One distinction is that the subsequent two seasons for the Wild are going to be about specializing in the longer term, not the current. The buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will give them practically $15 million in useless cap house.

If I am GM Invoice Guerin, anybody signed lower than three years into the longer term must be on the desk and that features Fleury.

With gamers like Brian Dumoulin and Teddy Blueger on expiring offers, the Penguins might look to get Fleury who’s signed by way of subsequent 12 months to only a $3.5 million contract, for a few these acquainted names.

Now, I do not know what the Wild’s ideas are on Fleury, the longer term, and the current, however it’s price a name to see if he might be had for the appropriate value. Particularly with that a lot of a cap headache on the horizon.

On the finish of the day, this might all be rendered moot with a return to well being and a robust efficiency down the stretch for Jarry, however like this franchise’s period…the clock is ticking.