NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2024
What’s the latest on the Penguins goaltending? Could the Utah Hockey Club have any significant moves planned for this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: On Monday, Josh Yohe reported there was open competition for playing time among the Pittsburgh Penguins’ goaltenders.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).
He noted Tristan Jarry was the Penguins starter in a 6-0 season-opening loss to the New York Rangers. Rookie Joel Blomqvist played the next two games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe’s column appeared before Jarry returned to the crease on Monday for a 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Yohe pointed out that Jarry was given a five-year contract in 2023, which usually comes with extra opportunities for a player to assert himself even if he struggles. However, that hasn’t been the case for Jarry, who lost his job for the final 13 games of last season to Alex Nedeljkovic, who is currently injured but will soon return to the lineup.
According to Yohe, the Penguins’ starting goalie job moving forward is anyone’s guess. Jarry might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere but Yohe doesn’t believe any club would want his contract. A team source told him the Penguins were willing to move the 30-year-old netminder during the summer but other teams weren’t interested.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe blasted Jarry’s “unprofessional” performance against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday after the netminder gave up three goals on five shots before being replaced by Blomqvist.
Jarry is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.375 million and a 12-team no-trade list. The Penguins probably won’t find any takers unless they absorb half of his cap hit or take back a toxic contract.
A buyout next June would result in a $1.747 million cap hit for 2025-26, rising to $5.047 million in 2026-27, falling to $4.547 million in 2027-18, before dropping to just over $797K annually for the remaining three seasons.
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports Utah Hockey Club general manager Bill Armstrong intends to remain aggressive in his efforts to build up his club following a busy offseason. During the summer, Armstrong acquired defensemen Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning and John Marino from the New Jersey Devils.
Armstrong hopes to build up his club’s defense like the teams that won the Stanley Cup, most recently the Florida Panthers. He’s seeking players between the ages of 24 and 28, pointing out that Sergachev and Sean Durzi are both 26. Armstrong acquired Durzi from the Los Angeles Kings in June 2023 for a second-round draft pick in 2024.
The Utah GM said he might have to make tough decisions about moving out players and making draft picks. “We’ll have to make some trades down the stretch, but that’s why we acquired all the draft picks and prospects.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong has a roster filled with young talent and a well-stocked prospect pipeline. He also has two third-round picks in the 2025 draft, three second-rounders, and two third-rounders in 2026, and two fourth-rounds and two fifth-rounders in 2027 to draw on as trade chips.
He could become a seller at this year’s deadline as he’s done in recent years, shipping out veterans on expiring contracts for draft picks and prospects. However, he could become a buyer if his young team is in playoff contention by the March 7 trade deadline.
Pens really have no choice but to work with Jarry to try yo get him back to all star form. Not exactly holding my breath though.
Can they put him on waivers and send him down like the Red Wings did with Husso? That might solve the immediate problem once Ned is healthy.
They could but the amount of salary you can bury in the minors is capped at $1.15M, so the rest of his salary would still remain on the “NHL books”.
It would free up a roster spot, but not much cap space.
I wouldn’t give up on him chrisms … as I posted in the other thread he had a pretty good overall record last season, and I doubt he’s forgotten how to play goal over the summer.
And he ranks decently here
https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/last-3-nhl-seasons-goalies-stats.html
George..i agree with you and i disagree with you.
Yes he was solid for long stretches he is a two time all star and did league the league in shut outs a couple years ago. He can and has talent. So his overall work in pittsburgh is good.
But he struggled down the stretch last year and early this year.
I believe he needs a change of scenery whether that’s chicago colorado detroit..
Maybe exchange struggling goalies georgiev for jarry ??
Blomqvist has shown he is ready and the kid of the minors musharov who is even better.
We shall see?
Signing Jarry to that $5.375 million dollar contract was a typical Dubas move that Leaf fans were all too familiar with during his tenure as Leafs GM.
Overpaying with too much term.
Now Pens are stuck with Jarry.
I among many were surprised that the Penguins resigned Jarry, however at the time there were few options given that they needed an experienced goaltender when they weren’t rebuilding. But that decision really hasn’t turned out well since he hasn’t been good at all, except in stretches, after he resigned. If he can’t be better, the best option is a buyout next summer
I feel like there is SO much drama involved with goalies lately. I know they have always been a special breed… but wow.
Off Topic …
I was on “Twitter” , lol
I seen Max Domi has a nasty gash under his right eye , badly bruised
I just don’t recall an incident where that happened ?
I am a pretty close observer , as per the Leafs ..
Matthews 1st goal
2 power play goals
Stolarz – stellar – once again !
Interesting how they make out against the Rangers on Saturday and the “Robot” in goal !
👀
Well. To cheer up my fellow pens fans upset about jarry…. Who leads the league in points at 38 years old and looks damn good doing it?
Yeah, he ain’t going anywhere … the guy is a fitness freak … but seeing Sid have yet another great personal season while the rest of the team flounders has to be small comfort to the team fan base.
Actually I’m referring to Malkin. But at this stage we will take what wins we can. I come off spoiled but pens fans have watched 3 championships and an additional final appearance in this generation of players. Watching them get these milestones is awesome. You ain’t gonna win the cup every year. Sports fandom is more than just winning. It’s why those that said pens should have traded or should trade these players are wrong.
I see John Tavares is a spokesperson for a company that sells “magic amulets” that helps him heal faster. As Bugs Bunny would say “what a maroon!”
Sort of a flashback to Red Kelly’s “pyramid power” – hey, whatever you think works … in that regard it could be seen as similar to medical placebos which are prescribed more for their psychological benefits than for any physiological results … and they have shown to work!
News flash! Players are superstitious and have known to have lucky whatever (stick tape, pads, first or last on the ice, etc) this only makes sense plus helps being a leaf and getting paid for it.
Cash in while you can.
If you watched the Leafs prior to hitting the ice. Who touches who and where and what order is all orchestrated. No crossed sticks in the dressing room is a big one. The sport is filled with superstition. Why not pyramid power.
Didn’t Jarry lead the league in shut outs a few years back ?
McGroarty guaranteed spot didn’t last long
maybe call up the ducks and swap gibson for jarry and a pick or 2