The Pittsburgh Penguins have faced their share of goalie controversies, and the start of the 2024-25 season may be hinting at potential shifts in their goaltending situation. There’s currently competition for the Penguins’ starting position, with no clear frontrunner among the candidates.
With Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist, and the injured Alex Nedeljkovic all vying for the role, the team has a plethora of choices. While this might seem advantageous, it also adds increasing pressure on each goalie. Jarry, who has been the team’s primary goaltender since the departure of Matt Murray in 2020, has struggled with consistency, and the Penguins are in need of reliable performance in net.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Penguins might not have full faith in Jarry as their starter and are exploring potential options for change. “I think the Penguins have, at times, considered their options here,” Friedman stated, noting that while nothing has come of it yet, discussions about Jarry have taken place with other teams.
Last season, Jarry lost his starting role to Nedeljkovic, who started the final 13 games, including back-to-back nights and a game that did not affect playoff standings. During that stretch, Nedeljkovic achieved an 8-1-3 record, with his only regulation loss occurring in the last match of the season. In contrast, Jarry struggled with a 2-8-1 record in his last 12 games, surrendering 40 goals.
The Penguins were also keen to evaluate Blomqvist during the AHL playoffs, but the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were eliminated in the first round. There is belief that all three goaltenders can handle NHL responsibilities, leading to a competitive atmosphere in Pittsburgh. Josh Yohe from The Athletic reports an “open competition” for playing time.
Yohe anticipates that the Penguins may not settle on a regular starter for some time as they determine the best course of action. The organization attempted to move Jarry over the summer but received no interest from other teams.
Jarry faces significant pressure to perform and reclaim his prominence, but he will be under tight scrutiny, especially if Nedeljkovic returns to form and impresses, or if Blomqvist continues to demonstrate readiness for an NHL role.
