'Make some saves, have some fun': Penguins hope Tristan Jarry can reset during AHL conditioning stint

WILKES-BARRE — The Pittsburgh Penguins wasted little time in putting struggling goaltender Tristan Jarry to work in a fresh environment.

Jarry, assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning loan, started for the American Hockey League club against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena. He made 32 saves on 34 shots in a 3-2 victory.

The Penguins announced Jarry was being sent to the AHL, a transaction he had to sign off on, per NHL rules, Saturday morning.

For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach Kirk MacDonald, Jarry’s time in the AHL offers an opportunity to reset both in the net and mentally.

“I think for Jarry, just get back to basics and honestly, have some fun,” MacDonald said. “At the end of the day, we’re all doing this because guys get paid good money — and in the NHL, you get paid really good money — but like, you still want to come to the rink and enjoy it every day. Get back to that, get away from the limelight and just go play. Make some saves, have some fun.”

Jarry had initially joined the Penguins on their four-game road trip through Western Canada but was sent back to Pittsburgh on Thursday to work with director of goaltending Jon Elkin.

Via an email with a group of Pittsburgh-based outlets, Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas outlined the plan with Jarry.

“The decision was based solely on what we believe is the best course to have Tristan find his form and get ample game action to transfer the work he is doing on the ice with our goaltending staff and off the ice into games,” Dubas wrote. “The expectations for him while down there are to play each game for Wilkes-Barre over the next 14 days and set himself to come back to Pittsburgh confident and in good form.”

As Jarry navigated a brutal start to the season, going 1-1-0 with a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage over three starts, rookie Joel Blomqvist had been entrusted to shoulder increased duties.

Last weekend, Alex Nedeljkovic returned from injured reserve and stepped into the starting role, with Blomqvist backing him up and the Penguins opting to retain all three goalies on the roster.

“We have seven games over the next 14 nights with Pittsburgh and (five) over the next 14 nights with Wilkes-Barre,” Dubas wrote. “This affords all of our goaltenders tremendous opportunity. We will evaluate where they all stand after this stretch and make the best decision for the Penguins.”

Dubas indicated Jarry is not dealing with an injury or illness.

As Jarry started his stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, his NHL teammates concluded their road swing with a 10 p.m. showdown vs. the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Dubas explained the decision to send Jarry back to Pennsylvania midway through the NHL club’s road trip was rooted in logistical concerns.

“Tristan traveled to Winnipeg and Calgary with the team so that he could get (three) solid practice days with (goaltending coach) Andy Chiodo,” Dubas wrote. “On the off day — Wednesday — he traveled back to Pittsburgh given that we had limited practice time with back to back games coming up and knowing he would report to Wilkes-Barre to play (Saturday). He continued to work with Jon Elkin and (traveled) to (Wilkes-Barre) from Pittsburgh.

“All of this was discussed and planned with Tristan last week. The goal was to maximize coaching, use the off day as efficiently as possible and reduce the travel time into Wilkes-Barre before playing (Saturday).”

Jarry’s AHL loan can last a maximum of 14 days. MacDonald hopes Jarry benefits from the experience.

“It’s a really good group here,” said MacDonald, who is in his first year at the helm of the Penguins’ AHL affiliate. “We try to have fun while we’re at the rink every day. You can have a smile on your face and put the work in at the same time. Hopefully, he gets a little of that and just enjoys it.”

MacDonald recognizes that how his team plays around Jarry will be critical for the 29-year-old, who’s in the second year of a five-year deal through 2027-28 worth $5.375 million annually.

In terms of overall team defense, MacDonald has been pleased so far.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 4-2, with starting goalie Filip Larsson sporting a 2.74 goals-against average and .918 save percentage through three games.

Sergei Murashov, backing up Larsson, stopped 27 of 28 shots in his one start. On Saturday afternoon, Murashov and defenseman Mats Lindgren were assigned to Wheeling of the ECHL.

With Jarry taking the net, MacDonald is hopeful his club can do its part to set him up for success.

“As a staff, I think we’ve got to make sure our guys defend well in front of him. It’s something we preach a lot, no matter who’s playing in net,” MacDonald said. “We’ve done a pretty good job of defending in front of our goalies thus far this year and keeping things to the outside. We’ll ask him to make the first save, and we’ll try to take care of the rest.”