News flash: the Edmonton Oilers need an upgrade in goal. Maybe a former All-Star with Edmonton roots could return to create more positive memories — if he can shake off some recent disappointment.
Goaltenders, by nature, are usually wired a little differently. It takes an off-center personality to willingly stand in front of frozen rubber flying at 90 miles an hour. And while the best netminders thrive under that pressure, goalies can also be prone to “getting inside their own head,” sometimes to disastrous results. Think of Jim Carey or Andrew Hammond — players who went from single-season brilliance to NHL cast-offs in short order.
That same mental tug-of-war might explain what’s been happening with Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry.
Tristan Jarry Battles Mental Challenge in Hopes of Returning to Top-Level Form
Not long ago, Jarry was among the league’s more dependable goalies. A two-time NHL All-Star, he put together a four-season stretch from 2019-20 through 2022-23 with a combined record of 103-52 and a save percentage hovering around .910.
But since signing a five-year, $26.875 million contract in July 2023, something has felt off. The 2024-25 season, in particular, was described by Penguins writer Josh Yohe of The Athletic as “tremendously trying” for Jarry on a mental level.
“It’s always between the ears with him,” Yohe said. “He loses his confidence very easily at times.”
Jarry spent parts of the season in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and when Pittsburgh recalled him in early March, it was out of necessity rather than merit. Still, he closed strong, winning eight of his final 14 starts for a team well out of the playoff race.
“He kind of reestablished himself,” Yohe said during an appearance on Edmonton’s Kevin Karius Show on the 1440 Sports network. “The last six weeks, he was outstanding. Playing behind a horrible defensive team, I think he put up a .903 save percentage, which might not sound like much, but behind that team, I was actually really impressed, and I give him a lot of credit.”
Edmonton Could Provide Tristan Jarry the ‘Change of Scenery’ He Needs
Yohe insists the talent is still there.
“He has so much physical talent,” Yohe said. “I always say just in terms of pure ability, he’s top 10 in the league. I really believe that.”
The problem, Yohe suggested, is location.
“I think Tristan just screams out as a guy who needs a change of scenery.”
That change could mean a return to Edmonton.
Back in 2013-14, Jarry backstopped the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings to a championship, posting a 44-14-2 regular-season record before leading the team to the Memorial Cup. It was the last WHL club to capture the trophy, and Jarry was at the heart of it.
Now 30 and stuck on a Penguins team in rebuild mode, Jarry could be available — and for a price the Oilers might afford. His $5 million cap hit for the next three seasons is steep, but if Pittsburgh were willing to retain salary in exchange for Calvin Pickard and a 2026 second-rounder, Edmonton might see it as a gamble worth taking.
Because as Yohe put it: “Boy, he has talent. And I think if he just had new surroundings, that might be the best thing for him.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Oilers Could Revisit Past Edmonton Glory to Solve Their Goaltending Woes appeared first on Heavy Sports.