The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed goaltender Tristan Jarry to a five-year, $28.875 million contract in July 2023.
Just 18 months later, the team placed Jarry on waivers.
The two-time All-Star goaltender has struggled this season, going 8-7-4 with a 3.32 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.
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Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) returns to his net against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
The 29-year-old goaltender has struggled with slow starts, allowing a goal on the opponent’s first shot six times this season.
In the Penguins’ 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, Jarry allowed a shorthanded goal on the second shot he saw.
Jarry also struggled last season, going 19-25-5 with a 2.91 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.
Despite struggling last season, Jarry led the NHL in shutouts with six. This season, Jarry had yet to record a shutout.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said Jarry continued to work, but the results didn’t materialize.
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Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) makes a save against Seattle Kraken center Chandler Stephenson (9) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
“He kept coming out here, doing the job and it wasn’t a question at all. It just didn’t come to fruition the way we would like on the ice. At this level, you get to the point where you have to do what’s right…for him and for us,” Dubas said via the Penguins’ message on X.
The Penguins, like Jarry, have struggled this season, as they are 18-20-8 with 44 points in 46 games and are not currently in playoff position.
They trail the Columbus Blue Jackets by four points for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Due to Jarry’s contract, it is unlikely a team would pick him up on waivers, which would allow him to be reassigned to the American Hockey League.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) reacts during the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Jarry has spent his entire nine-year career with the Penguins and has a career save percentage of .910 and a career goals against average of 2.74.
Goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic (7-7-4, .886 save percentage in 19 games) and rookie Joel Blomqvist (3-5-0, .904 save percentage in eight games) are the two goalies for the Penguins, assuming they don’t bring in another option.
The Penguins’ next game is Friday against the Buffalo Sabers at 7 p.m. ET.
