NHL Starting Goalies: Is the Jarry Trade Haunting the Oilers?
The Edmonton Oilers front office might be rethinking the Tristan Jarry trade. In a move perceived as a reactive decision, General Manager (GM) Stan Bowman traded away Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak, along with a 2029 second-round pick, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Jarry and Samuel Poulin. From the outset, the trade faced considerable skepticism, with many questioning if Jarry represented a genuine upgrade over Skinner.
Early returns suggest, if anything, Jarry has been a downgrade. As of Friday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the new Oilers number-one netminder had a concerning 3.85 goals-against average (GAA) and a .864 save percentage (SV%) in 12 appearances. This is far from the performance the Oilers anticipated, and understandably, fans are frustrated.
Growing Concerns & Team Tension
The discontent may extend beyond the fanbase. Respected Oilers insider Bob Stauffer suggests a potential rift between Jarry and the team’s core players.
“There’s some extraneous things that have me quite concerned with Tristan,” Stauffer stated on Oilers Now. “I can read between the lines of what was going on the ice yesterday in practice. There seemed to be some heated exchanges. I didn’t appreciate Jarry’s comments after the 7-3 loss to Minnesota, where he criticized the team’s defensive play.
“I observed him in practice, consistently allowing goals, and eventually, a team leader voiced the need for greater effort. This dynamic exists with both goalies, and it’s a worrying sign.”
These observations, particularly from a well-informed source like Stauffer, are deeply concerning, especially so late in the season. It’s noteworthy that Skinner, despite his own challenges in Edmonton, never exhibited tension with teammates or publicly criticized the team’s defense – a contrast to Jarry’s post-Minnesota Wild game remarks.
A Costly Mistake?
In hindsight, the decision to trade Skinner and Kulak to the Penguins appears increasingly disastrous. The Oilers not only seem to have acquired a less effective goaltender but also lost a valuable piece of their blue line, already a known weakness. Adding to the issue, Skinner’s contract was expiring, allowing the Oilers to potentially walk away without obligation, as was the case with Kulak.
Jarry, however, has two years remaining on his contract with a $5.375 million cap hit. The Penguins did not retain any of his salary, meaning the Oilers are likely stuck with him, based on his current performance. Desperate teams often overpay, and it’s becoming clear that’s precisely what Oilers management did in this situation. You can find more analysis on NHL trades at NHL.com.
Impact on Team Chemistry
Beyond the on-ice performance, the loss of Skinner and his former partner, Calvin Pickard, seems to have negatively impacted the locker room atmosphere. Both were popular teammates, and their departure appears to be contributing to the team’s struggles.
While there’s still time to turn things around, the Oilers’ recent play puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Continued struggles will undoubtedly escalate tension within the team. For more in-depth hockey coverage, check out The Hockey Writers.
