While true, it usually involves taking dead money back the other way. I don't think the Jets will be willing to do that to get rid of Pavelec for one year. They've had ample opportunity to get rid of Pavelec when it would have saved them money and improved the goaltending situation, can't see them making a move that will cost them money.
Well, I think this year is a bit different than previous years. I don't think that the team wanted to cut Pavelec loose to replace him from outside the organization - now there's a goalie developed internally that looks ready to take over in the near future as the consensus #1.
This is also the first summer where there's some fairly major cap considerations to consider. If they can move that contract off the books for even 1 year, they can save probably at least $2.5m, if not $3, if they move Pavelec and just keep Hutch for another year at, say, $900k. If you retain half, you're still saving $1.5m - not really chump change (it's more than 1 whole Thorburn!). If you take Hiller's expiring contract for the rest of the season in exchange, then you save this summer when trying to re-sign your RFAs.
This is the best off-season to move on from Pavelec, better than the previous seasons. If they can somehow dump him by the deadline, it's a big win. If not, he's here for one more year and I'm 99.9999% confident that he is not retained beyond next season.
a month ago saying the Jets would send Helly back to the Moose when Pavs was ready.
