Winnipeg Jets G Ondrej Pavelec’s Days may be Numbered
Interesting news out of Winnipeg today straight from one of Winnipeg’s most trusted insiders, Gary Lawless. He reports the Jets three main goaltenders were all supposed to start two games in net throughout the preseason, Michael Hutchinson, Connor Hellebuyck, and Ondrej Pavelec. Tonight against the Minnesota Wild, the Jets planned to have Ondrej Pavelec between the pipes, to have him play in his second game, but the start has now been changed to Michael Hutchinson’s, starting his third game of preseason action.
Gary says this may be to prep Michael for a potential starting role, and that to him, can only mean one thing, something has happened in Winnipeg we don’t yet know about. His suspicion extends to both a potential trade, that is keeping Pavelec out of the crease, or maybe he’s been placed on waivers, to give Hellebuyck a chance to play in the NHL. But after coming off a shutout in his last game, why would the Jets want to put Pavelec on waivers?
Although Pavelec is the better goalie than Hutchinson, some conditions could keep him on the team over Ondrej. If the Jets have decided Connor Hellebuyck is indeed starting the season with the Jets, it would be silly to keep both Hutchinson, and Pavelec in the NHL as well. Sending Hutchinson to the AHL sounds like the most reasonable idea, but he has a one-way contract, and is all but guaranteed to get picked up off waivers. Losing Hutchinson in theory doesn’t seem like that much of a loss, but this issue makes it a huge problem. In the expansion draft this June, Winnipeg will be protecting Connor Hellebuyck as their goalie, but to do so, must also leave a goalie exempt who is under contract for next season. Since Pavelec’s contract is up at the end of this season, that would meant they’d have to leave Hellebuyck unprotected as well if they get rid of Hutchinson, who would be the exempt goalie. That means if Hellebuyck is staying in the NHL, Ondrej Pavelec may be put on waivers soon.
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The problem with waivers is that you don’t get anything back for the player given up, and Pavelec is a quality player who the Jets should get something back for. Maybe Dallas contacted the Jets, and is willing to give them a second round pick, or maybe one of their many defensive prospects like Stephen Johns. They need another goalie who can lead them into the playoffs, and although Pavelec has never done that, he may give them a better chance than Antti Niemi, or Kari Lehtonen. If a trade is available, that would be the prefered option over waivers.
But when the Winnipeg Jets really look through trading Pavelec, it creates a real issue, and that is having two rookie goaltenders. The Jets have a real chance of making the playoffs this year, and a rookie goalie is the best way to ruin your chances. With Hellebuyck’s progression, there’s gonna be growing pains, and they’re already evident, as he gave up a five-spot to Connor McDavid and the Oilers. It’s always helpful to have a veteran to lean on, spell off of, and look for advice from, and without Pavelec, Connor Hellebuyck won’t have that option.
It’s got to be in the Winnipeg Jets best interest, to keep Ondrej Pavelec. He’s a free agent at the end of this season, so perhaps trading him at the trade deadline would be more reasonable, once a Hellebuyck, Hutchinson combo is solidified. For now, the Jets should continue on a “win-your-in” process, with their three goalies, but at this point, another decision may have already been made.