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Solving the Winnipeg Jets goaltending woes

Despite winning the first two games he has played in the 2016-2017 season, Ondrej Pavelec is not the answer to the Winnipeg Jets goaltending problems. However, they might still be able to get some value for him if they play their cards right. Pavelec is in the last year of his current contract and while some people in the media think he might be a reasonable back-up next year, the Jets should only keep him as a last-ditch option. Instead, they should look at making a trade with the New York Islanders for Jaroslav Halak.

Halak is at least an average NHL goalie and works well in a tandem setting. He would be perfect alongside Connor Hellebuyck as he adjusts to the NHL and is capable of playing for stretches if the Jets need him too. On the other hand, he is currently playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL after he was waived earlier this year. This is where the Jets come in. Halak has another year on his contract; Pavelec is in the last year of his. If the Jets start off by offering Pavelec for Halak, it would mean the Islanders have to take on a slightly higher cap hit for a short amount of time while the Jets relieve them of their three goalie problem.

If the Islanders want more than simply long-term cap relief, the Jets can always offer to retain salary on Pavelec or sweeten the pot with a late round pick or a forward prospect. Because of the salary cap pay-off, the price of the trade may not be very high at all, but it could pay massive dividends for the Jets in the short and long term.

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