The 25-year-old goalie, who played in the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game, could have become a restricted free agent Oct. 9 but now is expected to be Pittsburgh's No. 1 goalie with Matt Murray likely leaving.
Jarry was 20-12-1 and had NHL career bests in wins, goals against average (2.43), save percentage (.921) and shutouts (three) in 33 games (31 starts) while sharing the starting role with Murray this season.
Jarry credited competition with Murray for advancing his game. With Murray possibly departing, either as a restricted free agent or in a trade, Jarry said he'll search for similar motivation.
"I think it's just the same thing I've been doing," Jarry said. "Pushing myself in practice, making sure that I'm able to keep a competitive advantage in practice. Pushing the players and making sure that when they're at their best, it pushes me to be at my best. I think that's always the best thing, is competition between teammates. I think that always brings your level to higher standards."
Murray, who won the Stanley Cup twice (2016, 2017) in five seasons with Pittsburgh, could be traded before becoming a restricted free agent Oct. 9. The 26-year-old was 20-11-5 with a 2.87 GAA and an NHL career-worst .899 save percentage in 38 games (38 starts) this season.
Before the Penguins re-signed Jarry, general manager Jim Rutherford told The Athletic on Aug. 24 that Murray or Jarry likely would be traded. Rutherford said Wednesday that although it's possible the Penguins could retain both goalies, the chances are remote.
"Sure, there is a way we could do it," Rutherford told The Athletic. "But to be honest, I just don't think it's something that would work for everybody."
In a press release Saturday, Rutherford said he has confidence in Jarry.
"Tristan is coming off of an all-star season and has demonstrated the ability to be a regular starter for us," he said. "He is a fundamentally sound young goaltender who we believe is a great asset for the Penguins."
If Murray does go elsewhere, Jarry would become the No. 1 goalie more than seven years after being selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (No. 44) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He is 34-20-4 with a 2.61 GAA, .914 save percentage and five shutouts in 62 NHL games (57 starts).
"I think it's awesome that they have trust in me and they've had trust in me since Day One of drafting me," Jarry said. "I think it shows a lot. It also helps with my development. It helps knowing that you're a player that they want, and that they want you moving forward. So I think that gives you a lot of confidence.
"[You're] able to build your game around a team that you've been a part of and have been with for the last six, seven years. So I think it's really helped me and helped me grow, and it's helped me play the game that the Penguins want me to play."
Murray is third in Penguins history with 117 regular-season wins, behind Marc-Andre Fleury (375) and Tom Barrasso (226). Murray's 29 postseason wins are third, behind Fleury (62) and Barrasso (56).
Casey DeSmith, who started for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League this season after backing up Murray for Pittsburgh in 2018-19, likely would be Jarry's backup.
Whether Murray is moved or retained, Jarry said his approach wouldn't change. It would be the same from his time as the No. 1 goalie for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2018-19, when he was 23-23-3 with a 2.66 GAA and .915 save percentage.
"When I was in Wilkes-Barre, they told me I would be playing a lot of games and just to make sure I'd be better every day," Jarry said. "I think that's going to be the same mindset going forward, is making sure whenever my name is called upon, that I'm ready and I'm ready to be better than I was the day before."
