The Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins are at the center of trade speculation following a report from NHL insider Kevin Weekes. Weekes linked Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry to the Oilers, fueling rumors of a potential deal to address Edmonton's goaltending issues.
The Oilers are reportedly showing "significant interest" in Jarry. This comes after the Oilers' disappointing 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, further highlighting the team's need for more reliable goaltending. Edmonton's General Manager, Stan Bowman, and CEO, Jeff Jackson, are under pressure to improve the team's performance to meet Cup expectations.
Jarry, 30, has had a decent start to the season with the Penguins, posting a 5-2-0 record and a .911 save percentage in seven games before suffering a lower-body injury on November 3. He is expected to return soon. Jarry's contract runs through the 2027-28 season with a $5.375 million cap hit, and includes a 12-team no-trade list.
Edmonton's current goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard has struggled. Skinner has a .878 save percentage, while Pickard's is even lower at .847. In the game against Dallas, they allowed eight goals on 30 shots. The Oilers have been searching for long-term stability in net.
Jarry has prior ties to Edmonton, having played junior hockey for the Edmonton Oil Kings. He won two WHL championships and led the team to its first Memorial Cup title in 2014. This familiarity could make him a comfortable fit for the Oilers. Jarry's experience as a number-one goalie is something the Oilers currently lack.
The Oilers have also been linked to other goaltenders, including Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues. Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos suggested a potential trade involving Binnington and Skinner. Other reports suggest the Oilers might be interested in Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators.
The Penguins, on the other hand, are having a solid start to the season with a 10-5-4 record. This makes them potential buyers as well, looking to add young talent to their roster. They have been linked to Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov. There have been reports that the Penguins are interested in Canucks forward Nils Hoglander, and could trade veteran defenseman Marcus Pettersson to get him.
As the Oilers aim to contend for the Stanley Cup, addressing their goaltending issues has become a priority. With the trade deadline approaching, it remains to be seen if the Oilers and Penguins can strike a deal involving Jarry or if Edmonton will pursue other options.
