The Edmonton Oilers made a bold call in goal, and Stan Bowman wanted the message clear right away. Edmonton acquired Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a deal that sent Stuart Skinner the other way. It involved some other pieces that got moved from both teams.
The Oilers’ decision drew instant focus because of Jarry’s injury history. However, in a recent interview, Bowman stressed the decision came from a long study, not a short-term reaction.
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“We’ve done a lot of work on this position,” Bowman said. “Obviously, it gets a lot of attention. Tristan’s had a really consistent performance as a pro, right up until last season, so it was certainly something we looked into, and we wanted to see how he started this year.”
Jarry joined the Oilers in Toronto, where they will face the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Jarry’s past includes several injury setbacks that slowed momentum at times. He missed games with foot, lower-body, and upper-body issues across multiple seasons. He also spent time in the AHL before rebounding this year.
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Despite that, Bowman favoured Jarry’s sample size.
“It’s that old adage of sample size, where you look at a goalie and how he’s performed over a few hundred or a thousand shots,” Bowman said. “Those are different, and it tends to show you what that goalie can be.
“It always comes down to one or two moments for every goalie… everyone’s measured by what they remember from a playoff series… we think that Tristan has a very solid track record as a good goalie.”
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Contract control played a major role in the trade. Jarry has two more years left after this season, which gives Edmonton stability through three playoff runs. The cap hit fits well and stays workable for future seasons. That certainty mattered as much as on-ice results.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the game at the American Airlines Center.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
This season also helped push the deal forward. Jarry posted a 9-3-1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. He showed calm structure and sharp reads behind a Penguins team chasing relevance. Edmonton believes that form can carry over.
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Skinner leaves after helping the Oilers reach two straight Stanley Cup Finals. Pittsburgh values that playoff experience as it reshapes its roster. Both teams saw a need that lined up.
For Edmonton, the goal stays the same. The Oilers believe they remain in a title window to win the Stanley Cup. Bowman made it clear that the trade reflects trust in Jarry’s career sample and more than his injury history. The risk exists, but the plan feels defined.
Related: Oilers Coach’s Take About Connor McDavid Should Scare the NHL
Related: Stuart Skinner Addresses Oilers’ Seattle Shutout Amid Trade Rumors
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.