Sad News: Pittsburgh Penguins have parted ways with goaltender as he signs with…

There has been a lot of smoke surrounding a potential Tristan Jarry trade away from the Pittsburgh Penguins since late June.

On June 21, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Mark Madden suggested that “it’s time” for the Penguins to part ways with their $26.875 million goaltender.

“The re-signing of goalie Alex Nedeljkovic makes zero sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unless they trade starter Tristan Jarry,” Madden argued at the time. Noting that the two-year deal effectively blocks highly touted goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist from being promoted.

The Athletic’s Rob Rossi later confirmed this conjecture as factual, reporting that “multiple teams have been informed that Jarry, who received a long-term contract last July, is available in a trade” on June 27.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also hinted that a Jarry trade might make sense during Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast on June 25.

Despite all of that, Bleacher Report analyst Lyle Richardson shot down this trade rumor down on July 11, alluding that it is a pipe dream.

“Jarry’s inconsistent play last season is the main factor behind the trade conjecture,” Richardson stated. “That performance combined with his contract makes him difficult to move.”

This led Richardson to conclude that Jarry and Nedeljkovic will start the season as the goalie tandem in Pittsburgh with Blomqvist continuing his development at the AHL level — even if the Penguins would prefer to rid themselves of the 29-year-old netminder this summer.