Penguins Update: Goalies Are Like a Box of Chocolates…
In the movie Forrest Gump, actor Tom Hanks famously noted, “…life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
The same applies to NHL goaltenders.
Take our tandem of Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic, for example. Both have experienced their share of ups and downs during their respective careers.
A two-time all-star selection, the former lost his starting job last spring and suffered the ignominy of being sent to the Baby Pens on a conditioning assignment following a disastrous start to the current campaign.
And Nedeljkovic? After leading the NHL in save percentage (.932) and goals against average (1.90) as a rookie with the ‘Canes in 2020-21, he signed a lucrative deal with the Red Wings and flopped in the Motor City, spending most of ’22-23 in the AHL.
Each has drawn criticism this season. Especially Jarry, who at times has been Public Enemy No. 1 in the eyes of Penguin Nation.
However, a quick glance around the league shows our goalies aren’t the only ones who’ve struggled. Here’s a list, by no means complete, of goalies around the league who’ve appeared in at least seven games and posted sub-.900 save percentages.