Last July, the Rangers reversed course with their backup goalie plan when they signed Ondrej Pavelec to a one-year deal. Typically, Benoit Allaire has taken youngish goaltenders with upside remaining and helped them reach their potential. That upside has brought serious production to the backup goaltender position. With Pavelec, he was banking a guy who had NHL success being able to resurrect his career. A little bit of a different plan.
The results were mixed. Overall, Pavelec was fine and had some downright fantastic games in blue. However, injuries and long stretches where Alain Vigneault was not willing to play Pavelec somewhat derailed the original intention.