New Jersey Devils: 5 Free Agent Goalie Options
By Nick Villano
Tristan Jarry
Let’s look at some starter options for a moment. Vanecek was good in the regular season, but the Devils might want something a little more guaranteed. Tristan Jarry will look for a starter’s opportunity, but being the starter in New Jersey might be too good to give up. Would Jarry take slightly less to come to NJ?
Jarry’s story is one of injuries. He looked like he was going to carry the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first half of the season. Then, he got injured in January. When he returned in February, he wasn’t the same goalie. His first half save percentage of .917 dropped to .890 over the final 23 starts of the season.
It’s hard to say Jarry is anything but a really good goalie. His issue is health. The Devils definitely shouldn’t give him a long-term deal. Nobody should, really. Would that make him available for a one or two-year deal at the right price? Look at what the Devils did for Vanecek’s value. Would the Devils be the type of team that free agents join to gain value?
Jarry would be the perfect player in that sense. If he signs a one-year deal, trying to win a championship, and he goes far in the playoffs, he could sign a much bigger deal. It’s a risk, but he’s 28 years old. He can afford to take a risk hoping he can eventually sign a Darcy Kuemper deal next offseason.