For the first time since signing his long term extension Tristan Jarry spoke to the media. Jarry’s contract has been the most polarizing choice made so far this Penguins offseason. I’m not sure some of his comments are going to quell that any.
I’ll start with some good news. It appears his health is tracking in the right direction. This has been what has held back Jarry the most.
Tristan Jarry said the injury he was dealing with is behind him, "and it's something that I'll never have to deal with again. It's just looking forward from here."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) July 13, 2023
I think it is bold to say he’ll never deal with it again, but I can appreciate the confidence of moving past something of this nature. If Jarry’s health isn’t a negative factor I’d like to think we’d see the All Star version of him more often. It is a version the Penguins brass has bet on.
Now for the part that makes his contract seem a bit steep
Tristan Jarry: "We've set up home in Pittsburgh. We have a beautiful house, we're in a good neighborhood. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else, really. So, it was really only about Pittsburgh."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) July 13, 2023
I feel like the Penguins had more negotiation leverage than they used. This doesn’t sound like a guy who was going to leave the team unless another team blew him away with an offer. I can’t imagine there were a ton of teams going with that cap hit and the term Jarry received. This is the latest example of players don't like moving their stuff. It was a crumby goaltending market so I’m not convinced the team could have done a lot better unless they foolishly went after John Gibson or spent both assets and an extension for someone like Connor Hellebuyck.
Kyle Dubas clearly made Jarry a priority
Tristan Jarry said Kyle Dubas taking the time to visit him and wife Hannah in Edmonton "showed a lot... just see what he's about and what his plan was for the team and what he ultimately wants to do, I think that was good."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) July 13, 2023
What is done is done. I think a healthy Jarry has a good chance of being league average or better. He has to be.
Thanks for reading!