Inconsistency killed the Thrashers’ playoff hopes. They won November games against top teams in Washington and Detroit by a combined score of 10-1, and they blew a two-goal, third-period lead to league-worst Edmonton in February.
Addressing that problem, the same message was delivered to each player following season-ending meetings on Tuesday: Come to training camp in September in top condition.
That included Ondrej Pavelec, receiving an edict that comes with the territory of being a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL.
“There is concern when a save percentage vacillates as much as it did over periods of time. … There is a way to make an inconsistent goaltender more consistent," Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said. "In [Pavelec’s] case, he has to focus on the conditioning aspect. That’s a simple fix. As long as he buys in, it’s a simple fix."
Early in the season, when the Thrashers were playing their best hockey, Pavelec had a save percentage close to .930. He trailed only Boston’s Tim Thomas as the best in the NHL. Pavelec, however, finished tied for 24th in the league with a .914 percentage.
“If [Pavelec] is going to be a No. 1, and is going to play 70 games or 60 games, you have to play in back-to-backs," coach Craig Ramsay said. "You have to play in difficult situations, four games in five nights. You’ve got to be mentally and physically prepared for that. Unless you are physically prepared, you probably aren’t going to be mentally prepared."
Carolina goaltender Cam Ward played in 74 of 82 games this season, starting 37 of the final 38.
Pavelec, 23, finished the season with career highs in games played (58), wins (21) and shutouts (4). He left for the Czech Republic on Tuesday to compete in the World Championships.
“I will come back in better condition,” Pavelec said. “When I played I felt good. I didn’t feel tired."
Countryman Radek Dvorak played with another Czech Republic goaltender in Tomas Vokoun in Florida before being acquired in a February trade. Dvorak said Pavelec “can easily beat him.”
Mason said coming to training camp in top condition, even as a goaltender, was a lesson learned early in his career. It came in some stern words from a former strength coach.
“He told me that if you want to play in the NHL you are going to have to get yourself in great shape,” Mason said. “He was hard on me and it really woke me up. From then on, I made it a major priority to do my workouts and come to camp in shape. [Pavelec is] learning and he’s young."
Dudley said the days of players getting in shape during training camp are gone. Getting in top condition pre-camp is a necessity.
“Specific to Pavs, we think he can come better prepared,” Dudley said. “The one thing athletes have to understand is what they report in in September has a direct impact on their play in February. There is no question about it."
About the Author
