Tristan Jarry headlines Penguins' most prominent free agents

The vagueness of how injuries are released by NHL clubs, with designations rarely offering any specification beyond “upper-body” or “lower-body,” often creates more questions than answers when players get banged up.

Naturally, speculation then ensues, as media and fans try to discern more precise details.

No Pittsburgh Penguins player personified that reality more than goaltender Tristan Jarry, whose second half of the season was riddled with injuries that led to multiple absences, limiting him to 47 games played.

Jarry dealt with injuries throughout January, February and March that kept him off the ice, raising questions over the nature of his ailment(s), if they were related, as well as the long-term ramifications.

After the Penguins’ regular-season finale Thursday, a 3-2 overtime loss at the hands of the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets, and with his team eliminated from postseason contention, Jarry offered some end-of-the-year clarification with regard to his health.

“I was injured most of the year,” he told reporters in Columbus. “It’s kind of tough to get traction when you’re injured, and that’s how it went. … I’m still dealing with a lot.”

How much, Jarry was asked, did the injuries impact his play during the latter half of the season?

“Every day,” he replied.

Jarry finished the season with a 24-13-7 record, with his 2.90 goals-against average ranking 24th in the NHL. His save percentage of .909 placed him 18th.

While Jarry’s inconsistencies served as something of a microcosm of the Penguins’ struggles as a team, the poor timing of his health woes, given he seeks a new contract, was not lost on the 27-year-old netminder, now that the offseason has begun.

“It’s something that, obviously, crosses your mind. It’s something that’s frustrating,” Jarry said Saturday in Cranberry. “Missing games and missing playing time, that’s, obviously, what you get your contract on is playing time and how well you play. So it’s frustrating.”

Jarry is prominent among the Penguins’ seven impending unrestricted free agents, with this past season completing a three-year, $10.5-million deal inked in October 2020.

As will be the case with many other players and matters, Jarry’s future with the Penguins will be determined by the yet-to-be-hired front office officials who will replace Ron Hextall, Brian Burke and Chris Pryor, all of whom were fired by Fenway Sports Group on Friday.

In navigating uncertain waters, Jarry is adamant about his preferences.

“Obviously, my goal is to stay here,” he said. “I want to stay here. Only been a Penguin and I only want to be a Penguin. So that’s my goal, and that’s how I’m going into the offseason.”

In addition to Jarry, Penguins players who, per Cap Friendly, are unrestricted free agents are forwards Jason Zucker, Danton Heinen, Josh Archibald and Nick Bonino; defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Brian Dumoulin plus reserve goaltender Dustin Tokarski.

Injury updates

Jarry wasn’t the only player to offer some postseason clarity on injuries. Forward Bryan Rust was injured Thursday in Columbus, resulting in him wearing a brace on his right hand.

Rust did not offer specifics as to what he is dealing with but noted rehabilitation would be necessary.

“Back to 100% in no time,” he said. “Could have been worse. Dodged a bullet.”

• Defenseman Marcus Pettersson, who returned to action Thursday in the season finale after missing 12 games dating to mid-March, enters the offseason back at full health.

“I’m good now. I’m 100%,” he said.

• Out of every injury suffered by a Penguins player this season, perhaps none proved more concerning than that of Nick Bonino, who was sidelined March 9 with a lacerated kidney that ultimately ended his season.

On Saturday, Bonino offered some eyebrow-raising details of his situation.

“(Doctors) weren’t concerned my life was in jeopardy, but you really need to be careful with it and nobody wants to pee blood for two weeks … not to get too in depth here.”

World Championships participants

The 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship is set to begin May 12 and run through the majority of the month, co-hosted by Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia.

At least one Penguins player will be representing his home country, with winger Jake Guentzel, who grew up in Minnesota, revealing Saturday that he intends to play for the United States squad.

Pettersson declined to offer a yes or no as to whether or not he will represent Sweden at the event, and fellow Swede Rickard Rakell said he would not be participating.