For the past few seasons, the Atlanta Thrashers have been unable to find much success. Despite having some of the league's finest offensive weapons up front, a lack of solid defense and goaltending have swept the rug from under the Thrashers' contendership hopes.Kari Lehtonen, drafted 2nd overall in the 2002 Entry Draft, continues to suffer from his myriad of groin problems that keep him out of the lineup and from fulfilling his full potential. Lehtonen's health will likely be a big question mark for the rest of his career (Which has barely been established), leaving the Thrashers having to look for other options to step in.
Enter 20-year old Ondrej Pavelec, who is fresh out of junior hockey, and has stepped up big time for the Atlanta Thrashers this past week.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored another goal Friday night, but rookie goalie Ondrej Pavelec may have been the biggest reason the Atlanta Thrashers beat Florida.
Pavelec stopped 36 shots in only his third career start, while Kovalchuk scored his eighth goal in his last four games in the Thrashers' 4-1 victory.
"I'm happy because we need the points," said Pavelec, a 20-year-old from the Czech Republic. "It's not about how many goals you score or how many saves you make, it's about the two points."
While Pavelec is far from a household name, hockey fans ought to get aquainted with the young Czech goalie quite quickly, especially if you need an up-and-comer in your fantasy league. Ondrej is 3-1-0 in five games with a smokin' 93.2% save percentage. With a good pedigree of success behind him, Pavelec is one of the best goaltending prospects that you haven't heard of.
Of course, it's much too early to start putting all your eggs in one basket, but If Pavelec can keep up his rapid development, and Kari Lehtonen continues to shred his groin like cheddar cheese, the Thrashers just may make a permanent regime change in goal.
