:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72202117/1482268480.0.jpg)
The 2022-23 season was supposed to be the proving ground for Tristan Jarry. Though it was the third season that the netminder was the Penguins’ clear number one goalie (and seventh season overall that he would play games for Pittsburgh at the NHL level) Jarry was not totally established in his spot or secure in his future. His playoff record and performance was poor, his years marred by injury at the end, with periods of up and down play along the way. With a strong season and shaking off the issues that plagued him, Jarry could have cemented himself as the future of the position in the ‘Burgh for years to come.
Unfortunately, at the end of the season, there are still more questions than answers about what the future holds. Jarry enters the summer as an impending free agent, after a season marred with injury and periods of up and down play. The Penguins failed to make the playoffs, and Jarry struggled to the finish line as much as anyone on the team.
Right now, everything is in a holding pattern for the Pens while their ownership gets the pieces in place for the next leaders of the front office. Obviously one of the most pressing decisions and immediate pieces to figure out for said future hockey operation gurus will be the decision in net. Does the team even want to go with Jarry? Do they have a trade candidate or free agent in mind instead? What is the right price and term for Jarry? Would he truly be amenable to stay in Pittsburgh before testing what his market value is?
Again, with the Pens and especially the goalie spot it’s worth repeating: there are lots of good questions, and at this time no actual answers.
The fun in that will be the polling to take the temperature of the internet. We did the last year, to some interesting results (/casts a side-eye at those high on Bryan Rust and low on Evgeni Malkin) and this year some of the issues are different, but the impact and importance remains as high.
We’re hitting on questions in net, Jason Zucker’s contract, it being time for a possible Jake Guentzel extension, and Mike Sullivan’s status. So let’s get to it.
Poll
What advice would you most give the Pens’ new GM about Tristan Jarry?
This poll is closed
-
2%
Commit to him, even if it takes a $5+ million, 5-6 year contract to sign him
(61 votes) -
52%
Move on right now, explore new options via trade and/or free agency for a new starting goalie
(1443 votes) -
45%
Bring back if Jarry is willing to take a short-term contract near his current salary (which he may or may not accept)
(1244 votes)
Poll
Would it be OK in your eyes if the Penguins brought back the Jarry + Casey DeSmith goalie combo for next season?
This poll is closed
-
7%
Yes, it could be possible
(201 votes) -
28%
No, DeSmith is fine as backup but a new starter is needed
(726 votes) -
26%
No, Jarry should be brought back and more should be invested in the position to help him
(677 votes) -
37%
No, the Pens should make a full switch to get a fresh start with 2 totally different goalies
(961 votes)
Poll
Several areas will need addressed, but what do you think is the number one priority for the Penguins this off-season to change?
This poll is closed
-
1%
Change up the top-six forwards (as in: trade Guentzel or Rust)
(29 votes) -
11%
Add more speed
(291 votes) -
27%
Add more NHL caliber youth
(694 votes) -
8%
Add more size/toughness
(220 votes) -
37%
Figure out the goaltending
(943 votes) -
8%
Switch out multiple defensemen in the top-6
(218 votes) -
5%
Get a new head coach
(142 votes)
Poll
What is the worst contract the Penguins have on the books for salary, term remaining, value?
This poll is closed
-
4%
Bryan Rust (five more years, $5.125 million cap hit, NMC for two more years)
(125 votes) -
16%
Jeff Carter (one more year, $3.125m cap hit, NMC)
(416 votes) -
15%
Jeff Petry (two more years, $6.25 million cap hit)
(407 votes) -
62%
Mikael Granlund (two more years, $5.0 million cap hit)
(1603 votes)
Poll
Jake Guentzel is eligible to sign an extension this summer. If the ask is in the Bo Horvat/Filip Forsberg range ($8.5m for 8 years, some NMC/NTC), the Penguins should:
This poll is closed
-
37%
Sign him up ASAP to that market rate ($8.5m neighborhood)
(928 votes) -
42%
Slow play negotiations and make a decision later, with a mind to probably sign if season goes well (like Rust, Malkin, Letang)
(1049 votes) -
20%
Do not look to extend at market rate, plan for a trade or for Guentzel potentially leave as FA in 2024
(517 votes)
Poll
When it comes to Jason Zucker’s contract negotiation, the Penguins should:
This poll is closed
-
11%
Sign him, even if it takes a premium, he’s worth keeping (meaning $6+ million for 3-4 years)
(290 votes) -
28%
Only sign him if it can be a short 1-2 year contract (assume cap hit $6+)
(713 votes) -
44%
Only sign him if the cap hit is in the $5something range (3-4 year deal)
(1087 votes) -
15%
Move onto new options, not interested in paying him near/at market value at this stage
(369 votes)
Poll
If there’s a weird rule where the Penguins have to sign one of these contracts (and one only), which would be the best for the team?
This poll is closed
-
8%
Tristan Jarry: $5-6 million for 5 years
(217 votes) -
72%
Jason Zucker: $6.0 million for 4 years
(1787 votes) -
18%
Brian Dumoulin: regardless of contract (but, say it’s more than league min. for 2+ years)
(446 votes)
Poll
Assuming that the Penguins DID sign all of these hypothetical deals, which would be the worst for the team?
This poll is closed
-
61%
Tristan Jarry: $5-6 million for 5 years
(1504 votes) -
5%
Jason Zucker: $6.0 million for 4 years
(138 votes) -
32%
Brian Dumoulin: regardless of contract, multi-year deal
(801 votes)
Poll
Do you think Mike Sullivan WILL be the Pens’ head coach to start 2023-24? And SHOULD he?
This poll is closed
-
65%
Yes Sully will be the coach and Yes he should
(1598 votes) -
28%
Yes he will be back but No he shouldn’t be
(689 votes) -
1%
No he won’t be back, but Yes he should
(34 votes) -
5%
No he won’t be back, and he shouldn’t either
(123 votes)
If you have an idea for polls, let it be known and maybe for a while this off-season we can do a poll question a week on Fridays if there are other suggestions to see where the fanbase stands on the issues that lie ahead for the Pens.
Loading comments...