NHL All-Star Goalie Available for Trade: The Penguins Likely Have What It Will Take

The Pittsburgh Penguins got some of the worst goaltending in the league this past season which was a major part of the team's failures on the ice.

Tristan Jarry, who was expected to be the number one goalie this year ended up splitting time between the NHL and AHL, and posted a .982 save percentage in 36 games with the NHL club.

Jarry's inconsistent play has made him a liability, potentially leading him to being moved this summer.

And while the organization has a very promising prospect in goal with Sergei Murashov, at this point he is still just a prospect.

At 21 years old, Dubas is unlikely to want to rush Murashov into an NHL role which could hinder his development so it makes perfect sense for the team to search for a temporary replacement in net until the young Russian is ready to take over.

According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, there is one All-Star caliber goaltender who could be available for a reasonable price.

That would be none other than Canucks veteran Thatcher Demko.

Pagnotta is reporting that Vancouver is hoping to get a young, cost-controlled, top-six forward in return for Demko.

While the Penguins are not exactly stacked with young talent, they do have one player that fits that description perfectly.

Of course, that would be 21-year-old Rutger McGroarty, whom the Penguins acquired from the Jets last year.

Unfortunately for the former 1st round pick, he was injured late in the regular season, bringing his year to an early end.

However, he is expected to make a full recovery and remains one of the team's top prospects.

McGroarty had 14 goals and 39 points at the AHL level last season and another 3 points including his first career NHL goal in 8 games with the Penguins.

The 21-year-old center has two years left on his entry-level contract and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season, making his the perfect candidate for the return in a potential trade for Thatcher Demko.

Whether or not Kyle Dubas would be willing to give up such a promising prospect for an injury-prone goaltender remains to be seen, but it certainly is an intriguing option for a club desperate to get back into the playoffs before Sidney Crosby retires.