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Penguins lock in their Jarry insurance |
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The Penguins are a step closer to running back the same goaltending they did last year. Alex Nedeljkovic, who took over the starting duties with 13 starts in a row at the end of the year. Is coming back on a two-year deal. The deal has an AAV of 2.5M
It is a well earned raise of 1M per season. The 2.5M cap hit seems like a fair deal considering Nedeljkovic was right at league average for the 2023-24 season. Nedeljkovic finished at .902 while the league average was .903. Tristan Jarry was .903 last year, but he comes with a 5.375M cap hit and was deemed unstartable when the team was in crunch time trying to scrape out standings points.
I’m sure Kyle Dubas felt the need to try and have something solid behind Jarry and he went with what he knew best. The guy who did it last year. I don’t think the move is fool proof because nothing with goalies is. Nedeljkovic’s underlying numbers are very much that of a backup goaltender.
The high-danger save percentage is concerning, but it feels like it can’t really bottom out much more so there might actually be some improvement to be had.
As for Jarry I don’t have high hopes the team can move his contract, but there is one situation that opened up. The Calgary Flames just dealt Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils opening up a starting job. Perhaps there’s something to be had with Jarry and Andrew Mangiapane who is on an expiring 5.8M deal. I think the Penguins would have to add given Jarry’s term. That said, you might have the guts of a potential trade there. Getting Nedeljkovic signed and in pocket opens up scenarios like this.
Things should start heating up on Penguins related matters with the Stanley Cup Final coming to a close within the next week, or sooner.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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