TORONTO – Tristan Jarry was at residence Friday morning when his cellphone rang.
Pittsburgh Penguins normal supervisor and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas was on the road. He wanted to see the veteran goaltender instantly.
Jarry had no thought his time enjoying alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin was over.
And that he would quickly be off to a different franchise blessed with show-stopping abilities — Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — determined to shore up its crease in hopes of lastly hoisting hockey’s final prize after back-to-back playoff runs led to bitter disappointment.
Jarry was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers in a five-player commerce Friday that included fellow netminder Stuart Skinner going the opposite manner.
The 30-year-old Jarry, who has barely had time to be taught everybody’s identify in Edmonton’s locker room, was set to be thrown within the fireplace instantly along with his first begin scheduled for Saturday in Toronto in opposition to the Maple Leafs.
“Loads of feelings,” Jarry mentioned of his response to the commerce following the morning skate at Scotiabank Arena. “Playing in Pittsburgh for a very long time, I’m very grateful for my time there. It was unbelievable. I couldn’t have requested for something higher, however simply with the ability to hear that it was for the Oilers, it’s very thrilling.”
Edmonton included defenceman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round draft choose within the package deal heading to Pittsburgh, whereas minor-league ahead Samuel Poulin went the opposite manner. Skinner and Kulak — a pair of Edmonton natives — are each set to change into unrestricted free brokers July 1. Jarry has this season plus two extra left on his contract.
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McDavid mentioned the staff is keen to welcome Jarry and defenceman Spencer Stastney, who was added from the Nashville Predators for a 2027 third-round choose in a separate transfer Friday.
“Sad day to see these two guys go, two guys which have been nice for us for a very long time,” mentioned the Oilers captain. “Excited to usher in (Jarry) and Spencer, two guys that performed nicely this yr.”
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Jarry, who owns a 9-3-1 file with a 2.66 goals-against common and a .909 save share in 2025-26, has had a roller-coaster NHL profession.
The Surrey, B.C., product was an all-star in each 2020 and 2022, incomes him a five-year, US$26.875-million contract. But he struggled at the beginning of final season earlier than clearing waivers and being assigned to the American Hockey League.
“There was a option to be made,” mentioned Jarry, who ultimately rediscovered his type following the demotion. “Whether I wished to pack it in and name it or if I wished to be taught from that have. Learning from that have has made me a stronger particular person and a greater goalie.
“Having these experiences will probably be higher for me down the highway.”
Jarry, who performed junior for the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings and lives within the space in the course of the summer time, owns a profession .909 save share and a pair of.74 GAA throughout 307 NHL video games.
“No matter when you’re a Stanley Cup champion or runner-up or a staff that simply missed the playoffs, I feel you all the time want some component of change,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch mentioned. “Whether that’s a drastic change, minor change, everybody’s seeking to get higher and make small enhancements. We really feel that we’ve made some enhancements to our staff, and we’re enthusiastic about our subsequent chapter.”
The six-foot-four, 201-pound Jarry replaces Skinner because the Oilers’ No. 1 choice in web after the latter helped them get to consecutive Cup finals the final two years earlier than falling to the Florida Panthers.
Skinner had some terrific moments within the Alberta capital, but in addition skilled loads of down ones. He had change into a lightning rod of criticism for a membership in win-now mode with McDavid beneath contract by way of 2027-28 — and never past. The 27-year-old began this season 11-8-4 with an .891 save share and a 2.83 GAA.
Knoblauch, nonetheless, mentioned Skinner’s time with the franchise needs to be regarded again on “very favourably” given the post-season success.
“Not too usually a goalie will get two runs to the Stanley Cup ultimate,” Knoblauch mentioned. “He had his ups and downs, however I feel a whole lot of his downs had been most likely a bit of unfair for him. He wasn’t stellar each single evening, however I feel he was a extremely stable goaltender. You don’t have the playoff success that we did with out having stable goaltending.
“He needs to be remembered as a superb, high quality goaltender who did rather a lot for our staff.”
Jarry, who has simply eight NHL playoff video games beneath his belt, will now be tasked with getting the Oilers one rung larger.
“It’s cool, it’s a chance, and I’m absolutely embracing it,” he mentioned. “It’s going to be a enjoyable problem. I feel with the ability to be on the pinnacle of sports activities … that’s what you all the time need, to have that chance. To be on this staff, and to have the ability to do this, it’s gonna be particular.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 13, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
