Jets call upon Pavelec once more

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This article was published 17/01/2017 (3189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was throwback Tuesday for the Winnipeg Jets, who called up Ondrej Pavelec in an effort to help solidify their sagging goaltending situation.

Pavelec, who practised with the NHL club Tuesday afternoon, had been ordained as the Jets starter since the franchise moved from Atlanta prior to the 2011-12 NHL season, but he lost the job this past fall and was demoted to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Head coach Paul Maurice, who named Pavelec the starter for tonight’s game against the visiting Arizona Coyotes, said there was no defining moment that sparked the promotion.

“It’s never off the radar. It’s not just the last few days,” said Maurice. “Ondrej’s game started slow and has really improved, and we’ve struggled in our net and we’ve gotta win hockey games.

“We’ve got a guy that’s feeling confident and feeling strong. We’ve got two young guys — either in experience or in age or both — that are struggling a little bit right now.”

Neither Connor Hellebuyck nor Michael Hutchinson had capitalized on the opportunity to take over the No. 1 role. They’ve had their moments this season, but have been far too inconsistent.

“I was aware of what’s going on,” said Pavelec. “Like I said so many times: I don’t watch hockey that much but you’re living in Winnipeg, and you know what’s going on, but it would be highly disrespectful if I make any comments about how everybody’s playing. I mean, it wouldn’t be fair because I wasn’t here. I was with the Moose. I don’t want to comment on any of it.”

Hellebuyck is 16-13-0-1 this year, with a 2.83 goals-against average and .907 save percentage; Hutchinson is 4-10-0-3 with a 3.23 GAA and .894 save percentage.

Hellebuyck, a 23-year-old who played in his 60th career NHL game Friday, can no longer be sent to the minors without passing through waivers. All three goaltenders were on the ice Tuesday.

Pavelec, a 29-year-old from the Czech Republic, has played 371 NHL games over nine seasons, and has a 148-154-47 record with a 2.86 GAA and .907 save percentage.

This season with the Moose, he has played in 18 games, going 8-7-2 with a 2.78 GAA and .917 save percentage.

“I had a slower start. I didn’t play much at the start — (Eric Comrie) played most of the games and around December I started playing a little bit more and I felt good,” said Pavelec, who is coming off a sensational 43-save performance in Manitoba’s 4-1 triumph Sunday over the Chicago Wolves. “Last game, I felt really good. But it’s the AHL. It’s a little bit different level than the NHL.”

The Jets (20-23-4) are currently riding a four-game winless skid and are four points out of the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Pavelec is in the final year of a contract that pays him US$4 million annually.

“It feels pretty good and I’m looking forward to staying as long as I can,” he said. “I was happy (to be called up). I was surprised as well. I didn’t play there for four months and all of a sudden, I got the call.

“We talk a little bit, but that’s the life. That’s part of the business… I think we’re all pros, we can handle it.”

Pavelec was asked if he has been dealt a perfect opportunity to revive his career.

“It’s not a perfect situation, that’s for sure,” he said. “But I’m happy I’m in NHL, that’s the bottom line.”

Pavelec is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

“I have a chance to stay in NHL somehow and whatever happens, happens,” he said. “If I’m gonna play good, I may stay with the Jets. I don’t know. You never know, so that’s too far (ahead). I just want to play (tonight’s) game and win the game and we go from there.

“It’s a little bit too early to talk about what’s gonna happen in a few weeks.”

Pavelec said he harbours no ill will towards Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff or Maurice for the decision to demote him in October.

“Of course, I was disappointed,” he said. “I would say I’ve been around for awhile and I know it’s part of the business. Of course, I wasn’t happy. I learned the last few years, don’t take things personally. It’s a business and it doesn’t matter if you agree or not. You don’t make those decisions. Chevy’s getting paid to make those decisions, Paul’s getting paid to make those decisions.”

For now, the club will stick with three goalies. Hutchinson worked 1-on-1 with goaltending coach Wade Flaherty before Tuesday’s practice, and then left when the rest of the team skated onto the ice.

Maurice said that will be the plan for the foreseeable future.

“I’m not a big three-goalie-on-the-ice fan,” the coach said. “Based on our lack of practice, there’s stuff that when you’re struggling, especially as a young goalie, you gotta work on and you need real technical work to get back at that. And we’ll have an opportunity to do that now.

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“We won’t be, in general, putting three goalies on the ice. We’ll give one of the goalies some 1-on-1 time with Wade and we’ll put the other two on.”

But, he said, it won’t last long.

“We’re not doing this as a long-term plan,” Maurice said. “We’ve got three goaltenders and I don’t think that’s something you’re going to see long in our future. But there’s nothing set in stone. I want to see (Pavelec tonight). I only want to see one of them.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPJasonBell

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14