Pavelec Recalled From Moose

The Winnipeg Jets have recalled goaltender Ondrej Pavelec from their minor-league affiliate, Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

As Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press and TSN said (and I normally don't agree with Lawless on most issues) the Jets had no choice but to call up Pavelec.  Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson just aren't getting it done.

  I don't know if Pavelec is the answer.  There's a reason he was demoted at training camp.  I wonder what the fan-base thinks about this decision?  All the Pavelec haters must be blowing their tops.  They got their wish, Pavy was sent down to give the younger guys a chance.  Now, again, it could be that the Jets goaltending coach, Wade Flaherty, doesn't know how to teach young net-minders how to stop a beach ball, or it could be the defence-core simply haven't bought into coach Paul Maurice's defence system.  Whatever the reason, the Jets combined goals-against-average wasn't going to cut it as it was.

Are the Jets going backward instead of forward?  I don't think so.  They have to stop the hemorrhaging some how.  Yes, Pavelec's numbers weren't any better, but I think Kevin Cheveldayoff and company may be thinking about experience right now.

Who knows?  Maybe the Jets will play better in front of Pavelec.  Maybe they miss their little Czech buddy in the locker room.  He is a team player.  He never once complained when Micheal Hutchinson strted consecutive games.  He didn't throw anyone under the bus when he was demoted.  He just did his job.

I see the complaints about Pavy.  He scrambled too much and has been caught out of position waaaay too much.  But, he did have the tendency or ability to steal games himself.  That's what's been missing in net.  A stellar performance once in a while.  That's what Pavelec brings to the table.  Remember, if it wasn't for Ondrej Pavelec, the Winnipeg Jets don't the 2014-2015 playoffs.  Period.

And as a reminder, Pavelec's contract is up at the end of this season.  Will the Jets re-sign him only for trade-bait, or for exposure to the expansion draft next summer?  If he does do well on this call-up, do the Jets re-sign him for regular assignment next season?  That is assuming he beats out anyone else for the top job in Winnipeg.  If he does, will he get a reduction in salary?  Most likely.  The point is, something had to be done.  The Jets are simply letting in too many goals.  Worse yet, they're allowing them at the most inopportune times.

Let's hope Pavs-for himself, as well as the organization (not to mention the half-bald Jets fans from pulling their hair out) that this at least a temporary solution.