Again, I never said he was elite, or that he's goign to have back-to-back .930 SV% numbers for 2 straight years. But if he's putting up 2.35/0.917-esque numbers (which I do think he's capable of), then he should be getting paid what a goalie like that gets paid so that no one can snatch him away next offseason by overpaying him.
- jmatchett383

He really combines a lot of great things for a goaltender.

Great size.
Mobility and athleticism.
Handles the puck well.
Good teammate and attitude.

On top of the goal saving ability.

I really like the guy so far.

if not for an absolute lack of scoring and a few blown 3rd period leads, the flyers are in a playoff position right now. even with the horrible start, just 2 points out i think. if they can continue this kind of play they should get in. best thing so far is seeing that mason hasn't missed a beat regardless of what's in front of him. he just keeps going.

i think they got lucky on the no-goal call at grossmann's feet. they made the right call because it wasn't conclusive on the video but if i were a betting man, i think that's over the line. sometimes it goes your way.
- hammarby31

Mason's save early in the game, i think the first period, where he had to go side to side to make an out of this world save, WOW!!!

This kid is making me a believer!

He really combines a lot of great things for a goaltender.

Great size.
Mobility and athleticism.
Handles the puck well.
Good teammate and attitude.

On top of the goal saving ability.

I really like the guy so far.
- Marc D

He's been, so far, the best game-in/game-out goalie we've had seen Cechmanek. Now, I don't know how long that will hold up, but as long as he doesn't completely implode, he should be paid like a capable NHL starter, not as some reclamation project...that was what this season was about.

I just don't think it's wise to go, "Hey Steve, wow, you were amazing and definitely stole a crazy amount of games for us. So, how about we sign you for one year at a low offer, and then when you become a UFA next year, you stick around for another low offer for a few years?"

Again, I never said he was elite, or that he's goign to have back-to-back .930 SV% numbers for 2 straight years. But if he's putting up 2.35/0.917-esque numbers (which I do think he's capable of), then he should be getting paid what a goalie like that gets paid so that no one can snatch him away next offseason by overpaying him.
- jmatchett383

I'm not saying that I'm not a fan of Mason, or that I don't want them to extend him at some point... all I'm saying is now -- while he is incredibly hot -- would be the absolute worst time to think about making that long-term bet on him.

They've got almost 18-months before he goes UFA... plenty of time to make sure that he can carry this forward. The UFA and trade markets for goalies have been, and will probably continue to be very soft... unlike the Carle situation, waiting is probably not going to cost them any more than bidding against themselves right now would.

I'd like them to get a reasonable 1-year extension done during the summer, and then take another year to make certain that this isn't a mirage. Then, back up the Brinks truck into his driveway.

I really needed an enforcer last night. We were starting to root for aneurisms for the guy. (A little anger management would go a long way.)
- bodiva88

I'm not saying that I'm not a fan of Mason, or that I don't want them to extend him at some point... all I'm saying is now -- while he is incredibly hot -- would be the absolute worst time to think about making that long-term bet on him.

They've got almost 18-months before he goes UFA... plenty of time to make sure that he can carry this forward. The UFA and trade markets for goalies have been, and will probably continue to be very soft... unlike the Carle situation, waiting is probably not going to cost them any more than bidding against themselves right now would.

I'd like them to get a reasonable 1-year extension done during the summer, and then take another year to make certain that this isn't a mirage. Then, back up the Brinks truck into his driveway.
- Tomahawk

Oh, I wouldn't sign him until the season is over either. My issue is, if he DOES prove to be a good (not elite) goalie both this year and next year, why wouldn't he test UFA? I know I would. Instead, if they buy a few UFA years at a reasonable (market value) value, you're set for a few years without being tied to him forever, a la Bryzgalov.

I don't know what the upcoming UFA market will be like in 2 years, but why risk it? It's entirely possible that some team gives him a Bryz-lite type of deal and then we're back to bargain hunting again. I don't want to go down that road.

Again, I never said he was elite, or that he's goign to have back-to-back .930 SV% numbers for 2 straight years. But if he's putting up 2.35/0.917-esque numbers (which I do think he's capable of), then he should be getting paid what a goalie like that gets paid so that no one can snatch him away next offseason by overpaying him.
- jmatchett383

The number of goaltenders that have put up that caliber of season twice in a row (in the modern era): 5

The number of goaltenders that have put up that caliber of season twice in a row (in the modern era): 5
- bradleyc4

So, unpossible?

One was J.S. Giguere (twice). Who were the others?

Edit: Cechamenk was another.
So was Niklas Backstrom.
Patrick Roy, later in his career actually.
Ed Belfour.
Hasek did it several times.
Brodeur also several times.
Kiprusoff also did it (spanned the lockout).
Tim Thomas just missed (2.36 GAA 2nd time around).

So that's 8 so far.

- Marc D

I'm not sure if the anger management is for him or me. But the guy in front of me agreed that if the replay had come back goal, we'd have lost the guy, and it might have been worth it.

I'm not saying that I'm not a fan of Mason, or that I don't want them to extend him at some point... all I'm saying is now -- while he is incredibly hot -- would be the absolute worst time to think about making that long-term bet on him.

They've got almost 18-months before he goes UFA... plenty of time to make sure that he can carry this forward. The UFA and trade markets for goalies have been, and will probably continue to be very soft... unlike the Carle situation, waiting is probably not going to cost them any more than bidding against themselves right now would.

I'd like them to get a reasonable 1-year extension done during the summer, and then take another year to make certain that this isn't a mirage. Then, back up the Brinks truck into his driveway.
- Tomahawk

I think that's reasonable. It's just a question of when you take a risk. Do you sign him early for a few years and risk that he can't hold up his current level of play or do you sign a 1 yr extension, he maintains impressive play and then risk losing him to free agency if a deal isn't reached before then. I'd probably prefer the former but with his track record it's obviously hard to tell.

Mood?

Mood?
- youarewrong

Sticky.

I'm not sure if the anger management is for him or me. But the guy in front of me agreed that if the replay had come back goal, we'd have lost the guy, and it might have been worth it.
- bodiva88

Did Lou actually announce a video review was taking place over the PA?

If so, I didn't remember hearing it (and I wasn't drinking last night).

Mood?
- youarewrong

Conservatively optimistic.

I'm not sure if the anger management is for him or me. But the guy in front of me agreed that if the replay had come back goal, we'd have lost the guy, and it might have been worth it.
- bodiva88

so he was really into the game and was sharing with all around him



I'm laughing because I kind of get like that at home, although hopefully not to the same degree as your guy. This year with the poor start, not so much. If they continue their good play maybe I'll get more emotional, but this season has gotten me pretty flat emotionally watching them play.

My wife keeps telling me she expects me to keel over watching them one night.

He's been, so far, the best game-in/game-out goalie we've had seen Cechmanek. Now, I don't know how long that will hold up, but as long as he doesn't completely implode, he should be paid like a capable NHL starter, not as some reclamation project...that was what this season was about.

I just don't think it's wise to go, "Hey Steve, wow, you were amazing and definitely stole a crazy amount of games for us. So, how about we sign you for one year at a low offer, and then when you become a UFA next year, you stick around for another low offer for a few years?"
- jmatchett383

I agree, but I want the team to be smart about it without pissing him off.

He is RFA and a goalie so the market has different guidelines for that situation.

But I want to see him be the solution very much.

I had to work last night and caught the start of the game live and watched the rest on dvr. I thought they looked bad at the start, the B Schenn penalty off the bat with two near goals by the Sens (one off a post).

Nice to see them stabilize things after a shaky start.

One of the best things for me last night was the play of Voracek. I think only Bigg E mentioned it in the comments today, but he was really flying.
This is what I hoped and expected to see from him as a continuation from his great season last year. Nearly every shift he created a scoring chance. He looked like one of the fastest skaters for both teams. All star form really.

Simmonds also continues his good play. He has been playing at a high level the past seven games after looking like a hyperkinetic giraffe to start the season.

Coburn and Grossmann continue to be steady. Great to see Kimmo play like, well Kimmo!

I totally get both sides of the Mason contract argument, but right now am enjoying his stellar play too much to worry about it.
I'd wait to see the whole year before making a final deal.
To sign him to a multi year deal right now is buying high.
I do badly want stability in goal, but also no more Bryz type contract numbers for any goalie.
- Marc D

I also wait until end of season. He is RFA and if he continues to play this well then we still hold all the bargining chips. Either he gets such an amazing offer that someone gives us 4 first rounders for him, or we get him on a bridge contract.

Did Lou actually announce a video review was taking place over the PA?

If so, I didn't remember hearing it (and I wasn't drinking last night).
- johndewar

Yes, but long into the process. I was surprised there hadn't been an earlier stoppage, but did figure it out (that it was a replay after the no goal call and continuation of play). But I did ask the Twitterverse. Lou said the play was under review not long before they finally had a decision. And I think it was easy to miss.

So, unpossible?

One was J.S. Giguere (twice). Who were the others?

Edit: Cechamenk was another.
So was Niklas Backstrom.
Patrick Roy, later in his career actually.
Ed Belfour.
Hasek did it several times.
Brodeur also several times.
Tim Thomas just missed (2.36 GAA 2nd time around).

So that's 7 so far.
- jmatchett383

I pulled up the numbers wrong the first time. Correct answer is: 12

Belfour
Roy
Roloson
Quick
Lundqvist
Howard
Hasek
Giguere
Cechmanek
S. Burke
Brodeur
Backstrom

(min. 40 games played)

Still mostly HHOF quality names in here.

Not "unpossible", but unlikely.

Oh, I wouldn't sign him until the season is over either. My issue is, if he DOES prove to be a good (not elite) goalie both this year and next year, why wouldn't he test UFA? I know I would. Instead, if they buy a few UFA years at a reasonable (market value) value, you're set for a few years without being tied to him forever, a la Bryzgalov.

I don't know what the upcoming UFA market will be like in 2 years, but why risk it? It's entirely possible that some team gives him a Bryz-lite type of deal and then we're back to bargain hunting again. I don't want to go down that road.
- jmatchett383

It's not like the Flyers won't be willing to pay him what he's worth, when that time comes, so he should be pretty happy staying in place where he's thriving and comfortable.

And they don't need to wait until the very last minute to get it done, either, which would mitigate a lot of the danger of losing him to UFA for whatever reason.

There's just zero reason to rush into it right now.

I also wait until end of season. He is RFA and if he continues to play this well then we still hold all the bargining chips. Either he gets such an amazing offer that someone gives us 4 first rounders for him, or we get him on a bridge contract.
- youarewrong

No, the solution is to give him a 1-year, lowball offer so that he's eager to sign with us when he hits UFA after next year.

I pulled up the numbers wrong the first time. Correct answer is: 12

Belfour
Roy
Roloson
Quick
Lundqvist
Howard
Hasek
Giguere
Cechmanek
S. Burke
Brodeur
Backstrom
- bradleyc4

So fairly common place.

so he was really into the game and was sharing with all around him



I'm laughing because I kind of get like that at home, although hopefully not to the same degree as your guy. This year with the poor start, not so much. If they continue their good play maybe I'll get more emotional, but this season has gotten me pretty flat emotionally watching them play.

My wife keeps telling me she expects me to keel over watching them one night.
- Marc D

I'm fairly certain you are not spewing homophobic and misogynistic language nonstop at full volume from the opening faceoff, dropping the F bomb in the third at full shouting volume for the simplest plays. I'm used to the place, I'm not a rookie, but I was tied up in knots by the third period when he started taunting Sens fans (and he was not, so far as I could tell, inebriated).

Yes, but long into the process. I was surprised there hadn't been an earlier stoppage, but did figure it out (that it was a replay after the no goal call and continuation of play). But I did ask the Twitterverse. Lou say the play was under review not long before they finally had a decision. And I think it was easy to miss.
- bodiva88

So at the rink you guys didn't know what was going on?
Right after the play on the TV their was a very quick replay where I though, uh oh, but then the play continued for a while.

I think they played ~3 minutes before a stoppage and the eventual review.
That must have been annoying.

I pulled up the numbers wrong the first time. Correct answer is: 12

Belfour
Roy
Roloson
Quick
Lundqvist
Howard
Hasek
Giguere
Cechmanek
S. Burke
Brodeur
Backstrom
- bradleyc4

Don't forget Kiprusoff (spanned the lockout). So you think it's impossible for him to rival the immortal Dwayne Rolosson, J.S. Giguere, Sean Burke, Roman Chechmanek, or Niklas Backstrom? Not exactly sure-fire HOFers, or even All-Star locks.

But okay, let's say he finishes (this season) with those numbers. Very good numbers, but not Vezina numbers. Are you, as an NHL GM, banking on him regressing so that you can (hopefully) keep him for less when he hits UFA? Or are you hoping he can build on it by offering him a market value 3-year deal?