Ondrej Pavelec stays with Jets signs five-year contract

The Winnipeg announced a new five-year contract with goaltender on Monday afternoon. Pavelec, a restricted free agent, had received interest from the KHL in recent weeks but ultimately decided to remain in the NHL with the Jets.While the team did not release the terms of the deal as per team policy, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that the deal is worth just under $20 million, carrying a salary cap hit of $3.9 million per season. That would be the 13th largest cap hit in the league for [Nate Clurman Jersey](https://www.penguinsfaith.com/collections/nate-clurman-jersey) goaltenders, just ahead of 's ($3.8 million) and a little behind 's ($4.5 million).2012 NHL Free AgencyFree Agency starts July 1More NHL coverage |  | | "Im really happy that I have a chance to say in Winnipeg for five years," Pavelec said on Monday. "Thats all I was looking  [Cody Glass Jersey](https://www.penguinsfaith.com/collections/cody-glass-jersey)for, to stay in a city you like. They have great fans there and I always said I like Winnipeg. Its behind me now and Im just looking forward to succe s in Winnipeg."Originally a second-round draft pick by the team when it was still based in Atlanta back in 2005, Pavelec has spent parts of five seasons in the NHL and posted a 70-79-25 record to go with a .907 save percentage. In 68 games this past season as the Jets No. 1 goalie he was 29-28-9 with  [Marcus Pettersson Jersey](https://www.penguinsfaith.com/collections/marcus-pettersson-jersey)a .906 save percentage.Given his performance over the years, especially in relation to the rest of the league, this deal seems more than a bit exce sive from the Jets (though, it's pretty great for Pavelec and his agent). Just consider that out of the 42 goalies that appeared in at least 30 games this past season Pavelec was 33rd out of that group in overall save percentage.  His even strength save percentage of .917 was 29th out of that same group.His best season came during the 2010-11 campaign when he finished with a .914 save percentage, which is pretty much right around the league average. And  [Sebastian Aho Jersey](https://www.penguinsfaith.com/collections/sebastian-aho-jersey)now he's one of the 13 highest paid goalies in the league. If he doesn't drastically improve over the next couple of years, this looks like an overpay from the Winnipeg side."Everybody knows I had an offer from the KHL, thats no secret," Pavelec said. "But I always wanted to stay in Winnipeg. I said that so many times. I had the  [Jay Caufield Jersey](https://www.penguinsfaith.com/collections/jay-caufield-jersey)option to go to the KHL and it was really good money, but the first thing I was thinking was I wanted to stay in Winnipeg and thats exactly what happened."Before agreeing to terms with Pavelec the Jets didn't have any goalies under contract for this upcoming season. Backup Chris Mason is eligible for unrestricted free agency, while the team also acquired the free-agent rights to Jonas Gustav son from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a seventh-round draft pick over the weekend.

The Winnipeg announced a new five-year contract with goaltender on Monday afternoon. Pavelec, a restricted free agent, had received interest from the KHL in recent weeks but ultimately decided to remain in the NHL with the Jets.While the team did not release the terms of the deal as per team policy, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that the deal is worth just under $20 million, carrying a salary cap hit of $3.9 million per season. That would be the 13th largest cap hit in the league for Nate Clurman Jersey goaltenders, just ahead of 's ($3.8 million) and a little behind 's ($4.5 million).2012 NHL Free AgencyFree Agency starts July 1More NHL coverage | | | "Im really happy that I have a chance to say in Winnipeg for five years," Pavelec said on Monday. "Thats all I was looking Cody Glass Jerseyfor, to stay in a city you like. They have great fans there and I always said I like Winnipeg. Its behind me now and Im just looking forward to succe s in Winnipeg."Originally a second-round draft pick by the team when it was still based in Atlanta back in 2005, Pavelec has spent parts of five seasons in the NHL and posted a 70-79-25 record to go with a .907 save percentage. In 68 games this past season as the Jets No. 1 goalie he was 29-28-9 with Marcus Pettersson Jerseya .906 save percentage.Given his performance over the years, especially in relation to the rest of the league, this deal seems more than a bit exce sive from the Jets (though, it's pretty great for Pavelec and his agent). Just consider that out of the 42 goalies that appeared in at least 30 games this past season Pavelec was 33rd out of that group in overall save percentage. His even strength save percentage of .917 was 29th out of that same group.His best season came during the 2010-11 campaign when he finished with a .914 save percentage, which is pretty much right around the league average. And Sebastian Aho Jerseynow he's one of the 13 highest paid goalies in the league. If he doesn't drastically improve over the next couple of years, this looks like an overpay from the Winnipeg side."Everybody knows I had an offer from the KHL, thats no secret," Pavelec said. "But I always wanted to stay in Winnipeg. I said that so many times. I had the Jay Caufield Jerseyoption to go to the KHL and it was really good money, but the first thing I was thinking was I wanted to stay in Winnipeg and thats exactly what happened."Before agreeing to terms with Pavelec the Jets didn't have any goalies under contract for this upcoming season. Backup Chris Mason is eligible for unrestricted free agency, while the team also acquired the free-agent rights to Jonas Gustav son from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a seventh-round draft pick over the weekend.