There’s been a mild rumour stirring around that the Los Angleles Kings have preliminary interest in Ondrej Pavelec, and have talked to the Winnipeg Jets. Nothing is formal, and nothing is set in stone, but the two sides have conversed what it would take to bring Pavelec to California.
As soon as Quick went down with an injury that looked long-term, Los Angeles’ playoff chances took an unworldly hit. As would be expected when your number two is Jeff Zatkoff, who has all of 37 NHL games to his name. Sure he may have won a playoff game for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but ultimately had no other input in their Stanley Cup run.
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Who do the Jets recieve?
It comes as no surprise that Pavelec could be coveted by the Kings, but coveted may not turn into owned, and that’s because of the Kings awful salary cap situation. They have one of the worst cap situations in the league, and Pavelec’s mammoth average annual value against the cap at almost four million is too much to take for Los Angeles. This means a contract would have to go the other way. Dustin Brown is someone with an awful deal, but it’s no surprise the Jets would not even look at bringing Brown back in a trade, as he still has five years left on his contract, at an unbelievable $5.9 million. The Jets would most likely have to end up eating half of Pavelec’s salary for the rest of the year, lowering his payout for Los Angeles to $1.95 million. Rob Scuderi, a left-handed blue line chip who could improve the Jets depth on the back-end, and who’s contract would mimmik that of Pavelec, could be a good deal.
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For someone who has the potential, and has been a starting goalie in the past, the Winnipeg Jets would also look to get either a third round pick, or a low-end prospect as well, in return for their minor leagued goalie. This opportunity shouldn’t be over looked by the Jets, as at the trade deadline, no teams will be interested in Pavelec, as goalies just aren’t something that needed right now throughout the league, and injury replacements are the only reason a team could be calling.
For Pavelec, this is his time he needs to shine. At the end of the season he’s an unrestricted free agent, and can mingle with whatever franchise he chooses. With three solid goalies heading to Las Vegas a week before free agency, those teams will more than likely be looking for their replacement in free agency, and if he has a solid year, could solidify himself as that option. Stay tuned, more Pavelec updates are sure to come your way later in the week.
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