If it wasn’t clear that Matt Murray was the goaltender likely heading out the door, it’s clear on Saturday. The Pittsburgh Penguins have extended Murray’s goaltending partner Tristan Jarry on a new three-year contract extension that will likely see the Penguins appoint Jarry the future starter and put a rush on a Murray trade prior to the start of NHL free agency.
Related: Rutherford Sets Penguins Asking Price in Matt Murray Trade
The team confirmed news of the signing Saturday morning through their official team page and social media account. The contract will run through the 2022/23 season and carry an average annual value of $3.5 million.
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said about the new Jarry deal: “Tristan is coming off of an All-Star season and has demonstrated the ability to be a regular starter for us. He is a fundamentally sound young goaltender who we believe is a great asset for the Penguins.”
Jarry, just 25, put up career numbers in 2019-20 with the Penguins, leading to his first career NHL All-Star Game selection. He played in 33 total games over a shortened season, earned 20 wins and posted a goals-against average of 2.43. His save percentage of .921 and three shutouts made him a potential standout as the team’s next starter, even if it wasn’t totally clear as an outsider whether or not the Penguins knew which of the two goalies they were going to run with. But, Jarry’s new deal at $3.25 is likely going to be lower than Murray’s deal will be and for a cap-strapped Penguins team, every penny counts.
The Pressure Is On Jarry Now
Never really pegged a starter in his career, Jarry will now have to carry the load for a Penguins team looking to rebound from a poor season and one that has already made a number of changes to its roster this offseason.
It will be interesting to see if he rises to the occasion or feels the heat from the pressure that comes with being the leader in net for a team whose window to win is closing.
As for where Matt Murray will be traded? That’s still very much unclear as it sounds like the Penguins are having a tough time getting teams to bite on their asking price.
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