Tristan Jarry

Jarry won the starting job in Pittsburgh after a solid 2019-20 campaign during which he registered a .921 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA through 33 games. However, he struggled in a bigger role last season, posting a 2.75 GAA and a .909 save percentage, though he still went 25-9-3 thanks to the Penguins' elite offensive output. Things got worse when the 26-year-old allowed 21 goals across six postseason games in a first-round exit. Jarry is expected to enter the 2021-22 campaign as the team's No. 1 netminder, but inconsistency could lead to Casey DeSmith seeing more action or the Penguins looking for outside help.

For the second time in just four years, there will be a changing of the guard for the Penguins between the pipes. Jarry will take on the role of No. 1 backstop in the Black & Gold following the departure of Matt Murray to Ottawa via a trade this offseason. Just two seasons ago general manager Jim Rutherford was trying to ship out Jarry, but luckily for him he was unable to find any suitors. Jarry completely outplayed Murray in 2019-20, putting together a 20-12-1 record with three shutouts and a .921 save percentage in 33 appearances while earning himself an All-Star selection. Heading into 2020-21, the puck-playing netminder will see the bulk of the workload, though a condensed schedule could see him limited to closer to a 60/40 split with backup Casey DeSmith.

After battling Casey DeSmith for the backup job heading into the 2018-19 campaign, Jarry found himself starting the year in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. DeSmith's performance as Matt Murray's backup convinced the Penguins to sign him to a three-year contract extension in January, which all but closed the door on Jarry's long-term future with the club. The 24-year-old figures to be the No. 1 option for the Baby Pens this season, and he'll likely only see NHL time if Matt Murray or DeSmith go down with an injury.

The lone certainty for Jarry heading into the 2018-19 campaign is that he is under contract with the Penguins for another two years. The backup situation behind Matt Murray likely won't be “decided” until closer to the end of training camp, and even then, it should be considered fluid at best as both the 23-year-old and Casey DeSmith are on two-way deals and can be flipped between Pittsburgh and AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Selected with the 44th overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the No. 2 job is likely Jarry's to lose. Given Murray's chronic battle with the injury bug, savvy fantasy owners will be monitoring this situation closely throughout the upcoming season.

A second-round pick in 2013, Jarry exceeded expectations with a marvelous WHL season for the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2013-14. He compiled a 44-14-3 mark with a 2.24 GAA and .914 save percentage, while recording eight shutouts. As a 19-year-old, Jarry remains too young to play in the AHL, so unless he surprises everybody by breaking camp with the Penguins, Jarry will return to the Oil Kings for another season. As such, Jarry has little-to-no value in single-season leagues, but may be worth stashing in keeper leagues. New GM Jim Rutherford has a history of going with young netminders, as evidenced by his aggressive promotion of Cam Ward in 2005-06, giving Jarry hope for a rapid ascension when he turns pro.

Pittsburgh selected Jarry with its top pick in the 2013 draft, taking the goaltender 44th overall. As such, he becomes an immediate target in keeper fantasy leagues. Starter Marc-Andre Fleury has but two years left on his deal and Tomas Vokoun is 37. The Pens signed top collegiate netminder, Eric Hartzell, and the organization has Jeff Zatkoff at the AHL level, but Jarry figures to get his chance in a couple years. For his part, Jarry went 18-7 with a 1.61 GAA and .936 save percentage in the WHIL with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He's the perfect goalie to put in your back pocket and pull him out in a couple years to see where he stands.