All-Star Weekend Buzz: Jarry, Barzal, Bertuzzi talk contracts

ST. LOUIS -- Here are some news and notes from All-Star Media Day, held Thursday to start the 2020 NHL Honda All-Star Weekend:

Jarry, Murray discussing future with Penguins

Tristan Jarry said he hasn't had any talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins about a new contract, but the goalie, who can become a restricted free agent this offseason, said he has discussed his situation with teammate Matt Murray, a goalie who also can become a restricted free agent.
"We haven't had any status update] or anything," Jarry said. "It's just [Matt and I] both want to win and do as well as we can. We're both pushing each other, and we've been best friends, so it's just something we're able to share and push each other and talk about it too."
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One of the breakout goalies of the season, Jarry is 16-8-1 with a 2.16 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. He will be playing in his first NHL All-Star Game after playing all but two games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League last season.
Jarry this season has started almost as many games (23) as Murray (27), who has won the Stanley Cup twice with Pittsburgh. Murray is 15-6-4 with a 2.84 GAA and .900 save percentage after winning five starts entering the All-Star break.
"We've been best friends ever since we started in Wilkes-Barre," Jarry said. "We were together my first year and he played the majority of the games, and I think that's where it all started. We were together with Hockey Canada, and then, growing up, we were in Wilkes-Barre together and then in Pittsburgh for the year I backed up.
"It's just something where our friendship keeps us going and helps motivate each other."

Barzal focused on hockey, not contract with Islanders

Mathew Barzal can become a restricted free agent after this season, but the New York Islanders forward said that is the furthest thing from his mind.
"We're in a tight race right now in the Metropolitan Division," said Barzal, who is in the NHL All-Star Game for a second straight season, "and I don't really have time to worry about my contract."
The Islanders (29-15-5) are third in the division, four points behind the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins and three points ahead of the sixth-place Philadelphia Flyers, who are one point out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
Barzal leads the Islanders with 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 49 games this season.
"We want to make the playoffs, take a run at the Stanley Cup," Barzal said, "and after that we'll figure [the contract] out."

Bertuzzi will talk contract with Red Wings after season

Tyler Bertuzzi said he doesn't expect any contract talks with the Detroit Red Wings until after the season. The forward can become a restricted free agent July 1.
"I try to go into every game and just focus on that," Bertuzzi said. "[The contract] will handle itself when the year is over."
Bertuzzi has played most of the season on the Red Wings' top line with center Dylan Larkin and taken on a prime role since the final months of last season. Bertuzzi leads Detroit with 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 51 games (tied with Larkin) and is its lone representative at the All-Star Game.
Detroit (12-35-4) is last in the NHL, 13 points behind the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings for the next lowest total.
"We're just looking to try to turn things around in the second half and try to get better as a team," Bertuzzi said.

Pacioretty, Golden Knights need to recharge

Max Pacioretty is playing in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time, and though he's enjoying his time in St. Louis, he said he knows it will be all business once the regular season resumes.
"We have some huge hockey games coming up," said Pacioretty, who replaced Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg (personal) on the Pacific Division. "Every night you check the standings and you can go from first to last. That shows how important these points are. We have to battle every night."
The first five teams in the Pacific Division are separated by one point. The Vancouver Canucks are in first place with 58 points, and the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes and Golden Knights each have 57 points.
The Golden Knights don't play any of those four teams until they play at Edmonton on Feb. 26, but they have six games in March against the Oilers, Flames, Coyotes and Canucks.
Vegas (25-20-7) entered the All-Star break 4-5-1, including a four-game losing streak, and coach Gerard Gallant was fired and replaced by Peter DeBoer on Jan. 15.
"When a good person and a good coach gets fired, you take it personally," said Pacioretty, who has 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games. "And you know we let him down. That being said, you have to pick everything up and adjust to a new system as quick as possible and make sure you play with that emotion every night.
"We have to recharge the batteries here during the break and come back and play the way we're capable of playing."