The Winnipeg Jets are shaking things up in their crease.
On Tuesday morning, the team announced that they’ve recalled Ondrej Pavelec from the AHL.
Pavelec is earning $4.75 million, but that didn’t stop the Jets from sending him to the minors before the start of the season.
By sending him to the AHL, they basically decided that they would go with the younger duo of Connor Hellbuyck and Michael Hutchison. But with those two struggling badly over the last few weeks, the team decided it was time to give Pavelec another opportunity.
Hellebuyck has been pulled in each of his last two starts and he’s given up three goals or more in eight of his last 12 outings, while Hutchinson has dropped each of his last five decisions. He’s given up three goals or more in four of those five games.
Pavelec, 29, has played in 18 games with AHL Manitoba this season, and he owns an 8-7-2 record with a 2.78 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage. Those are mediocre numbers, but it’s hard to judge his body of work when he’s playing behind a mediocre team (15-17-5).
Last season, he had 13-13-4 record with a 2.78 goals-against-average and a .904 save percentage in the NHL.
He’s been anything but consistent throughout his career, but maybe he can get hot and help the Jets climb out of the hole they’re in.
#Jets recalling Ondrej Pavelec on Day 98/180 means he will only cost Winnipeg $1,360,278 in projected cap space between now & end of season.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 17, 2017