Facing a crowded crease, the Winnipeg Jets have some tough decisions to make regarding their three NHL-level goaltenders (Connor Hellebuyck, Ondrej Pavelec, Michael Hutchinson)
Heading into the 2016-17 NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets have several issues. While Jacob Trouba requested a trade, the Jets also have three goalies fighting for a roster spot. Deciding what to do will be a tough job for management. The skill of all three netminders makes them an interesting story this season.
Interestingly enough, all three goalies are at different stages of their careers. Ondrej Pavelec is a veteran goalie who has been with the club since their Atlanta Thrasher days. Michael Hutchinson is a consistent goalie who has proven his abilities at the NHL level. Last, but certainly not least, Connor Hellebuyck is the youngest of the three but has immense potential.
Here is a look at all three goaltenders and their role with the Winnipeg Jets:
Ondrej Pavelec
Pavelec is the most veteran of the bunch and proved his worth on multiple occasions. However, many have questioned Pavelec’s true ability as an undisputed number one goalie. While the Jets were not the best team, Pavelec did not develop at the same pace as the rest of the team. Now 29 years old, Pavelec is looking to regain some traction as a starting goalie before handing over the reigns to the younger duo of Hutchinson and Hellebuyck.
Ondrej Pavelec maintained a 2.78 goals against average and 0.904 save percentage in 33 games last year. Looking back on his previous yearly stats, Pavelec was much better last season but lost his footing after another injury. 2015-16 was the first time he started less than 40 games since 2008-09, and that number will continue to diminish.
If the Winnipeg Jets are focused on the future, there is a good chance Pavelec is on his way out. He has one year left with the Jets and comes with a cap hit of $3.9 million. There is a good possibility they do not re-sign him, which makes this a year a big one for Pavelec’s career.
Michael Hutchinson
Caught in between the young and old, Hutchinson has been consistent and reliable for the Jets over the past two seasons. With only a $1.15 million cap hit for two more seasons, Hutchinson will likely be the mainstay in the Jets’ crease. He was much better in 2014-15, but so were the Winnipeg Jets. He played only 30 games last season and maintained a 2.84 goals against average and a 0.907.
With the Jets looking to solidify their crease over the coming seasons, there is no doubt that Hutchinson will be in the mix. He is not only a talented goaltender, but comes with a price tag a lot cheaper than Pavelec. This season would be the year for Hutchinson to play for more minutes or even a chance at another job elsewhere. Pavelec might be too expensive as a backup elsewhere, but Hutchinson is clearly the best trading candidate for other teams.
Depending on how this season turns out for the Jets, it could be Hutchinson on the move and not Pavelec, given the current market for goalies in the NHL.
Connor Hellebuyck
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Hellebuyck is not going anywhere. The Jets are committed to their best goalie prospect and his ability to shine despite heavy competition made him a well-known young goalie around the NHL. He was one of the three goalies selected for Team North America and saw some action throughout the World Cup of Hockey.
Similar to Pavelec, Hellebuyck is on the last year of his rookie contract and is set to get paid when that ends. With Hutchinson signed for another season, there is a good chance Pavelec is the odd man out, leaving Hellebuyck the clear man for the future.
Last season, Hellebuyck played 26 games and maintained a 2.35 goals against average and 0.922 save percentage, the best of all three goalies. He is the primary reason the Jets crease is so crowded and it will not get any easier. As it stands, he is at the biggest disadvantage given his contract, but one injury would have him back in the NHL showing off his skill in no time.
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Pavelec is the most experienced, but the development of Hutchinson and Hellebuyck is extremely important for the Jets’ long-term success. Pavelec will start quite a bit in the beginning, but he could get outplayed relatively quickly. Not to mention, Pavelec is known to have injury concerns, making him an even more inconsistent goaltender over 82 games.
Hellebuyck looks like the future goalie for the Jets. Hutchinson has shown flashes of top-end brilliance, but he would need to outplay Pavelec to stay relevant. If the Jets are far from a playoff position, there is a good chance Pavelec is the one to go.