Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

The Pittsburgh Penguins Need A More Dependable Goalie

03/25/2023 at 8:58am EDT

from Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune,

Jarry hasn’t displayed much consistency when he’s been available this season. He played 13 games since returning from his latest injury, getting pulled four times. His goals-against average on the year is 2.98, which ranks 32nd in the NHL. His save percentage of .908 stands 21st. So, Jarry isn’t sparkling when he can play.

Does Jarry have good moments? Sure. Every goalie does.

But Jarry broke into the NHL in 2017, and he’s never truly established himself as a No. 1 goalie.

There have been too many injuries, too many failures, and he’s never won a playoff series. Heck, he’s only played in eight playoff games, going 2-6.

Jarry played in one full series, a 2021 first-round loss to the New York Islanders. Jarry did a lot to lose that series, not least an awful turnover in the second overtime of Game 5 that gifted the Islanders the game-winning goal and a three-games-to-two series lead.

Jarry made two All-Star thingies, but who cares? Small potatoes.

Does Jarry help you win? The answer is no, not enough.

The decision to let Jarry go is made easier when you consider he reportedly wants a six-year contract worth $6 million per. Perhaps those demands come down given recent circumstances, but Jarry shouldn’t be retained at any price unless it’s so meager that the Penguins have money to sign a co-No. 1 goalie.

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KaszyckiandhisKrew

They should have kept Marc Andre Fleury.    Sometimes - goalies get on a roll like Matt Murray did.  I am not a big football fan - but I remember Jeff Hoestetler taking over for Phil Simms and winning the Super Bowl...and then losing the job a couple of years later.   Jarry is someone who you can ride with for a short period of time.  Would be an elite backup goalie like Thomas Greiss was and Semyon Varlamov is now for the Isles.  Someone who if # 1 gets hurt - can run the team for a month without missing a step.

That Game 5 gaffe in OT was classic.  I think Jarry cost them that series.   I can't stand the Pens but in my trying to be objective opinion - this is still a good team that should make the playoffs but the G position is weak.  Great Head Coach and 87-71 and 58 are elite players that themselves - along with solid play from others like 59 17 and others - SHOULD make it but may not. Jarry's stats this year are middle of the road    Changing the topic - While goalies like Ullmark, Sorokin, Vasy, Igor and Jake O and Connor H. get a lot of touting - who is this guy on MIN (Gustavsson) who is killing it this year?

Where is the love for him?   I saw him in person (at UBS) and maybe twice on TV this year and he is really really good.   Bet PIT wishes they had him!   They drafted him!(I had to look that up!)  He was traded a bunch of times - which makes me wonder - is he Phil Simms or Jeff Hoestetler?  (either is good - they both won Super Bowls!)   

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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