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Potential Penguins Goalie Trade Emerges as Eastern Conference Finalist Crumbles
Photo credit: Edit from Raleigh News Observer
The Penguins struggled with their goaltending this season, and now Frederik Andersen and the Hurricanes are also struggling, which could benefit Pittsburgh.
The Carolina Hurricanes have not won a game past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2006, the year they won the whole thing.
They are 0-14 in Eastern Conference Final appearances since that time, including having been swept in 2009 (Penguins), 2019 (Bruins), and being swept in 2023 (Panthers).
Nearly two decades without a win at that stage raises questions. Is it a talent gap? Playoff nerves? Coaching? Whatever the root cause, it's clear something has to change.
Enter Tristan Jarry. His playoff statistics: 2-6 record, .891 save percentage, and -4.1 goals saved above average, don't necessarily scream "savior," but a change of scenery may be just what he needs.
The Penguins may be able to get a first or second rounder for Jarry
And what's more ideal than sunny Raleigh, away from the cold grind of western Pennsylvania? For the price of a possible first-round or second-round selection from Carolina, he would be worth the gamble.
Low short-term cost, upside-potential move, especially for a club that at this juncture requires a win. Not a series. Not a Cup. A single contest in the Conference Final.
Jarry's also tallied an NHL goal, so he gets at least one checkbox for a goalie. He just needs to start stopping the puck more. That being said, sometimes change for change's sake is all that's left.
Carolina doesn't need a miracle. It needs a spark. And Jarry is maybe just different enough to be a risk worth taking. Could Frederik Andersen maybe head to Pittsburgh for a change of scenery, too? Never say never.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 137 ANSWERS Potential Penguins Goalie Trade Emerges as Eastern Conference Finalist Crumbles Should the Penguins go after Frederik Andersen? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 51.1 % |
| No | 67 | 48.9 % |
| List of polls | ||