By Gavin Spittle
DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Don’t be distracted by the age number, Pavelski turns 35 on July 11. Instead, be encouraged by the following numbers. In the last six seasons, the San Jose Captain has missed just eight games in the last six seasons. In those six seasons, here are the point totals: 79, 70, 78, 68, 66, 64. While that may look like slightly declining numbers, the 64 points last season included 38 goals which is the second highest of his career. Those numbers translated to the Stars would have led the team in goals and would be third overall in points.
Here are a few other numbers that jump out. For his career, Pavelski has averaged 18:53 minutes on the ice. Last year was 19:03 so he’s on the ice a bunch especially during crunch time. Another reason for his ice time is his impressive career faceoff win percentage which is 55%. Jason Spezza was the leader on the draw for the Stars last year and his career win percentage is 53.1.
There is more to Joe Pavelski than just on-ice production. Listen to what rising San Jose Star Timo Meier told the
New York Times upon Pavelski’s return in this past season’s playoffs.
“It’s obviously shown how he makes a difference, and not just on the ice, but the stuff he does in the room, how he gets guys going.”
The Stars have a bunch of young players that will certainly learn from a veteran like Pavelski. He was named Captain of the Sharks in 2015 with veterans like Joe Thornton. After Pavelski suffered a concussion which ignited a playoff comeback for the ages in Vegas, Thornton told
ESPN that it was all about their Captain.
"He's the heart of this team, and to see him go down like that and suffer like that, it was heartbreaking for us. That power-play unit won us the game, but you know, the boys, they got together and they said, This is for Pav.' So we love him. It was just a matter of will, and we willed that one for him."
What is forgotten because of that comeback is Pavelski opened up the scoring in the series with a goal that went off his face. He left the game, got patched up and returned early in the second period.
Here's a thing that happened: Joe Pavelski scored a goal off his face!Stream the #StanleyCup Playoffs here: https://t.co/Cxfh9sXayp pic.twitter.com/XDsXvmVnD3
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports)
April 11, 2019 That’s why Sharks players and fans love him. His number will be up in the rafters upon his retirement in San Jose.
He was named Team USA Captain for the 2016 World Cup Team. Names like Patrick Kane, Ryan Suter, David Backes, Ryan Kesler, and Ryan McDonagh who have had leadership experience could have been chosen to wear the “C” sweater but instead, they were his alternates.
Mats Zuccarello would have been a terrific signing for the Stars based on how well he fit in and his postseason play. If you liked Zuccarello, you will absolutely love Joe Pavelski.
