NHL Rumors: Are Joe Pavelski's Struggles Related to Questions About His Future?

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman on the Jeff Marek Show on Dallas Stars forward frustrations and struggles and what they can be tied to.

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Marek: “What are you seeing right now with Joe Pavelski? I see a frustrated player who is trying to do things and nothing is happening to him. What do you see?”

Friedman: “I agree with that. As they took them out of the first power play, Jeff.

Marek: “Yes.

Friedman: “And that, it's a big thing. That, is not what happens. That's not something that happens often. And, and (Tyler) Seguin was playing well enough that he deserved it.

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And I think you are very frustrated. He admitted that he was very frustrated. It has four points in the playoffs. That's not like him at all. You know, but the thing is, however, at the end of the second half (in Game 2), and he won two big defensive zones against the right.

So it's not like they don't see him as a valuable contribution. But one thing you don't see right now is that he's a valuable contributor offensively. Now that doesn't mean you can't change.

Pete DeBoer had a really interesting quote about it before Game 2. He says, 'I haven't talked to Pavelski yet, I'm leaving him alone because I understand what he's going through.'

Marek: “Yes.”

Friedman: “And it just shows that he likes the importance of a good coach. You can see when a player is struggling and you can try to support him, but you also have to make the tough decision and take him out of the power play because your team needs to win games. And I think that's the line that coaches walk.

Now, the thing about Pavelski and I'm sure it's a factor, Jeff. So Joe Pavelski signed two recent one-year extensions with Dallas. I think the first one was March of 2022. And last year when he signed it, he signed it on New Year's Day, which was the first day he was eligible. If you sign a one-year contract with a club, you cannot sign an extension until January 1 of the following calendar year.”

Marek: “Of course.”

Friedman: “And last year he signed with Dallas, the first day he knew. He hasn't done that yet next year.

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Marek: “Yes.”

Friedman: “So I think a lot of us are wondering if this is it. You know, it's obvious, you know, he hasn't said anything, but if so, you can only imagine how much that affects how he feels.