PITTSBURGH — Penguins Trade Jarry and Poulin to Edmonton
The Pittsburgh Penguins made a significant trade on Friday, sending their two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to Edmonton. In return, they acquired goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a second-round draft pick for 2029.
Jarry, who had a rollercoaster decade in Pittsburgh, was an All-Star in 2020 and 2022 but faced challenges last season, including multiple demotions to the minors. After a rough patch, he managed to rebound this season under the guidance of first-year Penguins coach Dan Muse, achieving a surprising 9-3-1 record along with a 2.66 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. Jarry is currently under contract through the 2027-28 season.
There’s been a bit of excitement, I think, regarding the depth of goaltenders for the Penguins now. They have promising prospects, notably 21-year-old Sergei Murashov, who showed great potential during his brief time with the team earlier this season.
As for Skinner, he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. His record stands at 11-8-4, with a 2.83 goals-against average, but an underwhelming .891 save percentage. Goaltending challenges have hindered the Oilers, who are among the teams allowing the most points per game. Skinner certainly has his work cut out for him.
In terms of recent performances, the Oilers have struggled, particularly when it comes to goalkeeping. It’s been tough for big names like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to carry the team, especially in their recent Finals appearances against Florida. Skinner himself allowed 19 goals on 137 shots during the 2025 Finals, resulting in a dismal save percentage of .861, while his teammate Calvin Pickard didn’t fare much better.
This season, Edmonton’s team save percentage is the fourth-worst in the league. Skinner recently ranks 38th among goalies who have played at least nine games—a far cry from what the team needs. Pickard is unfortunately sitting at the bottom of the list at .851.
But then again, there are some uncertainties with Jarry coming back to Edmonton. He previously made a name for himself with the Oil Kings in juniors. However, his playoff history has been spotty, with a 2-6 record and a troubling 3.00 goals against average. Many still remember how his shaky performance in the opening game against the New York Islanders was instrumental in the Penguins’ early exit from the 2021 playoffs.
Kulak, now part of the Penguins, had a standout last season with the Oilers, hitting career highs in goals, assists, and total points, although he has only managed two assists this year so far.
Poulin, on the other hand, had been Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2019, yet he struggled to make a mark in the NHL, recording just two points in 15 games. It seems like he never quite found his rhythm.
This wasn’t the only activity for the Oilers on Friday. They also traded a third-round pick in the 2027 draft to Nashville in exchange for defenseman Spencer Stastny, who has seen some action this season, with one goal and eight assists in nine games with the Predators.
