Avalanche Should Pursue Penguins’ Netminder

At some point in 2024, the NHL rumor hot stove was brewing, and Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry was one of the names in the pot. However, nothing happened, and Jarry was the team’s Opening Night Starter.

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However, it’s been a brutal start for the Surrey, B.C., native, who has been in the conversation to be a part of Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off in February 2025.

In Jarry’s three games this season, these are his statistics:

• Oct. 9 v. NYR – six goals against, .850 SV%

• Oct. 14 v. MTL – three goals against, .889 SV%

• Oct. 16 v. BUF – three goals, 11:33, .400 SV%

The Penguins’ top goalie was yanked after just 11 minutes, the fourth time in the past six home games he’s gotten the pull, dating back to 2023-24.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the highly regarded Colorado Avalanche, Stanley Cup champions in 2022, are winless and have the NHL’s worst goaltender problem.

Besides leading the league in goals against (25), their No. 1 goalie, Alexandar Georgiev, is struggling to finish a game and compile an SV% over .800. In four games, here’s a breakdown of his statistics:

• Oct. 9 v. VGK – five goals against, 40:00, .688 SV%

• Oct. 12 v. CBJ – three goals against, 21:56, .667 SV%

• Oct. 14 v. NYI – five goals against, .861 SV%

• Oct. 16 v. BOS – four goals against, .850 SV%

Colorado needs to make a change as one of four teams that have yet to win a game. Meanwhile, the Penguins’ top goalie desperately needs a change, so it’s a budding match to be made.

The Penguins do not need Georgiev or other netminders back in a trade. Joel Blomqvist is proving to be a more reliable puck-stopper, and Alex Nedeljkovic could return any day now, so their tandem could be set for the remainder of the year.

Never mind that the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins have Sergei Murashov and other prospects, so this could be a move for draft picks, a depth forward, or a prospect.

The Avalanche would get a new goalie who requires a fresh start. With a different team and environment, he could find the missing pieces to his game and help Colorado get back into the playoff picture.

Moreover, Georgiev would be best suited for a 1A and 1B situation and could benefit significantly from not playing every night. Last year, he somehow led the Avalanche to the playoffs despite posting a pedestrian .897 SV%, the worst total of his career.

After the situation on Wednesday night, Jarry’s leash is so short now that once Nedeljkovic returns, he could end up in the press box for a few games. Although that won’t help him regain his confidence, regaining the fanbase’s confidence may be the most challenging thing Jarry has ever done in his career.

It may sound wild to think the Avalanche would be interested in Jarry, but if a deal ever took place, everyone could walk away as a winner for all invested parties.

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