The Winnipeg Jets weren’t the Winnipeg Jets when they acquired Ondrej Pavelec. It was the 2005 NHL Draft, in Ottawa, and a generational talent in Sidney Crosby was the first pick.
But forty picks later, at 41 overall, the Atlanta Thrashers selected a Czech goaltender that they thought would lead their franchise for years.
In a way, they were right. In a way, Ondrej Pavelec never got the respect that he deserved. He had a seven season run as the starter for this franchise. Pavelec got a chance to play in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 before becoming the starter in 2010.