Penguins Find Logic in Trading Jarry, Thanks to Skinner’s Playoff Expertise

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a significant trade, sending goalie Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers. In return, the Penguins acquired goalie Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a second-round draft pick for 2029. This strategic move has been deemed logical by Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas.

Overview of the Trade

Tristan Jarry, 30, has been an integral part of the Penguins since being drafted in the second round as the 44th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. He has spent ten seasons with the franchise, debuting in 2017 and ultimately taking over as the starting goalie from two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray.

• Players Involved:
  • Tristan Jarry to Edmonton Oilers
  • Sam Poulin to Edmonton Oilers
  • Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Brett Kulak to Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2029 Second-Round Draft Pick to Pittsburgh Penguins
• Jarry’s Underlying Stats:
  • Current Record: 9-3-1
  • Goals-Against Average (GAA): 2.66
  • Save Percentage: .909
• Skinner’s Underlying Stats:
  • Current Record: 11-8-4
  • Goals-Against Average (GAA): 2.83
  • Save Percentage: .891

Strategic Reasons for the Trade

This trade appears to align with the Penguins’ current direction. Dubas emphasized the importance of acquiring a goalie “with deep playoff experience,” referencing Skinner’s participation in the last two Stanley Cup Finals with the Oilers. Jarry’s valuable performance this season was noted, but the Penguins are focused on supporting their veteran core, including Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin.

Although Jarry has shown signs of resurgence this season, his playoffs record is a concern. He has a postseason record of 2-6, with a GAA of 3.00. In contrast, Skinner brings considerable playoff experience to the Penguins, having earned 26 wins and made 50 starts in the playoffs across six seasons.

Future Goaltending Landscape

The addition of Skinner is expected to foster competition in the goaltending department. He will likely form a tandem with Arturs Silovs, who has a GAA of 2.98 and boasts a record of 4-4-5. The future of the position is also being evaluated with young prospects Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist, currently competing in the AHL.

• Young Goaltenders:
  • Sergei Murashov:
    • NHL Record: 1-1-1
    • AHL Record: 8-2-0
    • GAA: 1.56
    • Save Percentage: .943
  • Joel Blomqvist:
    • NHL Record: 4-9-1
    • AHL Record: 4-1-0
    • GAA: 1.93
    • Save Percentage: .930

This Shift Marks a New Chapter

The trade signifies a pivotal shift for the Penguins. As forward Rickard Rakell noted, Jarry has been a cornerstone of the team for many years. Despite Jarry’s desire to remain with the Penguins, the organization felt this trade was necessary to optimize their chances this season.

Dubas acknowledged the unpredictability in goaltending and stressed the importance of maximizing the team’s potential. With the roster now shifting, the Penguins are focused on rewarding their veteran players while navigating through the challenges ahead. This decision to move away from Jarry illustrates a commitment to competitive excellence as the season progresses.