So how did a goaltender that's 70-79-25 lifetime with a save percentage last season of .906 land this massive deal, with seemingly little leverage?
As far as term goes, it's what Winnipeg wanted.
Walsh said the Jets were after a deal of four or five years, with Pavelec three years away from unrestricted free agency. "If you're going to put in 'X' amount of dollars for the RFA years, it only makes sense to put UFA years in the deal as well," he said.
As far as money goes, Walsh said that Pavelec's salary will be comparable to other netminders in his age bracket and with his experience, especially ones due contracts this summer or in the near future.
"Let's say Carey Price is at 7 years and $6 million a year. Devan Dubnyk's going to hit $3 million. Tuukka Rask is going to hit $3 million. Cory Schneider is going to hit $3 million. There's a new wave of goalies taking over No. 1 starting jobs in the NHL from the older guard. Between those goalies, statistically and in experience at a No. 1 goalie, Pavs should be slotted under Price," said Walsh.
"The question was how far he should be slotted under Price; but he should be slotted ahead of Dubnyk, Schneider and Rask. That's the essence of the negotiation."