The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a bold move, extending Tristan Jarry‘s contract for five more years. As a fan, it’s time we put our faith in the Penguins’ decision and Jarry himself. Despite how we sometimes feel about their decision-making, they wouldn’t invest in Jarry if they didn’t see the potential.
Jarry’s career has been a rollercoaster ride, with some impressive highs and a few concerning lows. His best season came in 2019-20 when he posted a .921 save percentage, a testament to his capabilities when he’s at his best. In seasons where he started at least 20 games, Jarry has consistently posted a save percentage north of .900, showing his reliability in the net.
However, the 2023 season saw Jarry’s performance dip slightly, with a save percentage of .909 and a goals-against average of 2.90. Despite this, he still secured 24 wins, tying for 15th in the league. These stats show that Jarry can still contribute significantly to the Penguins’ success, even in a less-than-stellar season.
Why Penguins Fans Question The Decision to Bring Jarry Back?
Of course, the elephant in the room is Jarry’s history of injuries. He has had durability issues in the past, which has raised questions about his long-term prospects. However, the Penguins’ management has considered this when offering him the new contract. They must believe that Jarry can stay healthy and continue to perform at a high level.
Jarry’s inconsistency on the ice has been another point of concern. Sometimes, he seems to lose his confidence, leading to shaky performances. However, it’s worth noting that injuries can significantly affect a player’s mental focus. If Jarry can stay healthy, he can overcome these issues and become more consistent. That is at least our hope from now on.
Should We Have Faith in Jarry and The Penguins Decision?
The new contract is a significant vote of confidence in Jarry from the Penguins. He received the highest payday of any goalie in the NHL Free Agency and a modified no-trade clause. This shows that the Penguins believe in Jarry’s abilities and see him as a key part of their future versus what some may consider the only option. If it were an option thing, Jarry would not get the contract he received from the Penguins. He would have gotten a shorter deal.
As fans, we should share this belief. Jarry has struggled but has also shown he can be a top-tier goalie. If he can stay healthy and improve his consistency, there’s no reason he can’t lead the Penguins to success in the coming years.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Jarry has the potential to be a leading figure in the team. As fans, we should stand behind him and the Penguins’ decision. After all, in hockey, as in life, belief can be powerful, even when the conditions make it hard to do so.