Here’s an excerpt from my latest TribLive.com column:
Edmonton is interested in goaltender Tristan Jarry, who is on a bit of a heater.
But the Oilers are cap-strapped and Jarry makes $5.375 annually on a contract that runs through 2028. The deal appears dead because the Penguins won’t retain any of Jarry’s salary.
But the deal is more likely dead – for the time being – because the Penguins are in a battle for a playoff spot. Trading Jarry would make the dressing room implode. Sidney Crosby wouldn’t be happy.
So president of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas found a way to make the Oilers refuse, but keep the possibility open for a later date.
Sergei Murashov will be the Penguins’ No. 1 goalie no later than the middle of next season. The Penguins would like to dump Jarry’s contract. But right now, they can’t.
The Penguins’ unexpected contention keeps Dubas from doing things he’d prefer. But that only lasts as long as the Penguins contend.
The Penguins, so far, have played as well as could possibly be expected. But are still just one point safe in a playoff berth.
Jarry is an odd study.
Jarry has talent and has made two of the NHL’s mid-season All-Star showcases. But he’s horrifically inconsistent, lacks focus and has never won a playoff series.
Yet the dressing room has way more faith in Jarry than it should.
To read more, click HERE.
