Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: On Mason, the Trapezoid, and Regression; Quick Hits

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: On Mason, the Trapezoid, and Regression; Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I'm actually not overly concerned with Mason regressing, although it is a possibility. Unlike his Columbus days, he's a mature guy who has a good relationship with his coaching staff and has a completely new approach to the game, both in how he handles things mentally & in terms of conditioning.

The frequent knocks on Mason in Columbus were conditioning, work ethic & coachability. Those have all been strong points of his time as a Flyer. If that continues, he will continue to be a good goalie for the Flyers.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: On Mason, the Trapezoid, and Regression; Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Mason's technically already experienced his regression back toward the mean as a Flyer. In addition to the lofty end of 2012-13 numbers, he also started the 2013-14 season on a torrid .930%+ pace.

Also, statistical regression doesn't always have to be negative. His bad numbers in Columbus were equally as unsustainable as his great early numbers here were.

Water eventually finds it's level.

wouldnt reverse trapezoid increase goalie injuries? I can see it now, Lucic running full steam elbows out into masons head...ends career

wouldnt reverse trapezoid increase goalie injuries? I can see it now, Lucic running full steam elbows out into masons head...ends career
- PhillaBully

The trapezoid is a dumb idea period. I hate rules that punish skill. If a goalie can handle the puck, let him do it anywhere he wants.

I would love to see the trapezoid as sort of a safe zone for goalies... You wanna come out and play the puck in the corner? Sure, but you are now like any other player...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: On Mason, the Trapezoid, and Regression; Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I think this season for Steve Mason is more important then the last. He simply has to do what he did last season again. There has already been assumptions that he's a top 10 goalie in the east or in the league, which either way I disagree with both. There has already been assumptions that he's equally as important to this team's success as Claude Giroux, which again I disagree because Giroux might be and has proven already shown that he could be a top five talent in the league. Plus, add to the fact that Emery might not be able to carry the team in terms of being a start all season long but Emery has proven he can hold his own for a long stretch of time should Mason get hurt. With this said though, if I am wrong and Mason is both a top ten goalie and equally as important to the team as Giroux, this would be the season that would prove all this to be true. It's all about consistency. He can't just do it once during one full season, he's got to do it many times.

I would love to see the trapezoid as sort of a safe zone for goalies... You wanna come out and play the puck in the corner? Sure, but you are now like any other player...
- jak521

That'd be one good use for the trapezoid.

I think this season for Steve Mason is more important then the last. He simply has to do what he did last season again. There has already been assumptions that he's a top 10 goalie in the east or in the league, which either way I disagree with both. There has already been assumptions that he's equally as important to this team's success as Claude Giroux, which again I disagree because Giroux might be and has proven already shown that he could be a top five talent in the league. Plus, add to the fact that Emery might not be able to carry the team in terms of being a start all season long but Emery has proven he can hold his own for a long stretch of time should Mason get hurt. With this said though, if I am wrong and Mason is both a top ten goalie and equally as important to the team as Giroux, this would be the season that would prove all this to be true. It's all about consistency. He can't just do it once during one full season, he's got to do it many times.
- SuperSchennBros

Emery hasn't been a full time starter since he suffered his injury, so I have doubts he can carry a team for a long stretch at this point of his career. I say that as a fan of Emery, too, so it's not just ripping a guy.

If Mason stumbles, the Flyers could be in trouble. Even if he's not a top ten goalie, he's still the starter and if he struggles the Flyers don't have many options on hand.

Corey Crawford is another interesting case. He didn't become an NHL starter until the 2010-11 season when he was already 25 years old. Before that he spent five years in the AHL, appearing in only eight games for the Blackhwaks during that time.

http://www.capgeek.com/player/273

A similar path for Stolarz seems likely to me.

Corey Crawford is another interesting case. He didn't become an NHL starter until the 2010-11 season when he was already 25 years old. Before that he spent five years in the AHL, appearing in only eight games for the Blackhwaks during that time.

http://www.capgeek.com/player/273

A similar path for Stolarz seems likely to me.
- Feanor

Hopefully there's no reason for the Flyers to rush him

Can't stand the trapezoid rule. Mickey mouse indeed.

Emery hasn't been a full time starter since he suffered his injury, so I have doubts he can carry a team for a long stretch at this point of his career. I say that as a fan of Emery, too, so it's not just ripping a guy.

If Mason stumbles, the Flyers could be in trouble. Even if he's not a top ten goalie, he's still the starter and if he struggles the Flyers don't have many options on hand.
- Jsaquella

I never said anything about Emery being a starter. I gave Emery props for being a capable back up who can hold his own should Mason get hurt and has. I'm not in the least as worried about Mason getting hurt as I am Giroux. For me it's not even close. Even when Mason is healthy Mason has seen some tough starts against the likes of Chicago (both starts), LA and Tampa nearing season's end. Maybe even tougher competition then Mason down the stretch.

Blocked shots and their relationship to scoring chance suppression:
http://www.letsgoflyers.n...e-value-of-blocked-shots/

I never said anything about Emery being a starter. I gave Emery props for being a capable back up who can hold his own should Mason get hurt and has. I'm not in the least as worried about Mason getting hurt as I am Giroux. For me it's not even close. Even when Mason is healthy Mason has seen some tough starts against the likes of Chicago (both starts), LA and Tampa nearing season's end. Maybe even tougher competition then Mason down the stretch.
- SuperSchennBros

I'm just saying Emery hasn't had to be the guy for a team for a long stretch since before he was injured, so it's hard to say he's capable of being the starter without question if Mason gets hurt.

He did have good games against top teams down the stretch. doesn't mean he can start 55-60 games if Mason get hurt or struggles.

I never said anything about Emery being a starter. I gave Emery props for being a capable back up who can hold his own should Mason get hurt and has. I'm not in the least as worried about Mason getting hurt as I am Giroux. For me it's not even close. Even when Mason is healthy Mason has seen some tough starts against the likes of Chicago (both starts), LA and Tampa nearing season's end. Maybe even tougher competition then Mason down the stretch.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree with you. I trust Emery as a backup, and for having the experience and mental strength to come into that situation and play well enough for the team to win behind.

I'm just saying Emery hasn't had to be the guy for a team for a long stretch since before he was injured, so it's hard to say he's capable of being the starter without question if Mason gets hurt.

He did have good games against top teams down the stretch. doesn't mean he can start 55-60 games if Mason get hurt or struggles.
- Jsaquella

In all fairness name a team in the NHL that if their starter is lost for say the season that their back up could replace them. That is why you have starters and back ups. Same things with starting QBs in the NFL.

Bill, I just wanted to say thanks for keeping me looking forward to your daily Flyers blog - especially through the slow summer months. You always impress me with the variety and quality of content you are able to provide your loyal readers.

Mason is one of the two or three players on this team that, if he gets hurt, this team is cooked.

That's how good Mason has been since he's been a Flyer, IMO.

Mason is one of the two or three players on this team that, if he gets hurt, this team is cooked.

That's how good Mason has been since he's been a Flyer, IMO.
- johndewar

It also speaks to how little depth they've had up and down the organization both in goal and out for the past few years.

In all fairness name a team in the NHL that if their starter is lost for say the season that their back up could replace them. That is why you have starters and back ups. Same things with starting QBs in the NFL.
- J35Bacher

There's not many, and I'm not necessary saying that it's a bad thing.

I stressed that I like Emery and further I think he's a damned fine back up. But to dismiss or downplay the importance of Mason playing well or staying healthy...just seems odd to me. Behind Giroux, Mason is the most important guy on the team, IMO.

There's not many, and I'm not necessary saying that it's a bad thing.

I stressed that I like Emery and further I think he's a damned fine back up. But to dismiss the importance of Mason playing well...just seems odd to me. Behind Giroux, Mason is the most important guy on the team, IMO.
- Jsaquella

Who has dismissed the importance of Mason playing well?

It also speaks to how little depth they've had up and down the organization both in goal and out for the past few years.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Yeah, there has been little in the AHL to provide support. That seems to be changing, slowly but surely.

There's not many, and I'm not necessary saying that it's a bad thing.

I stressed that I like Emery and further I think he's a damned fine back up. But to dismiss the importance of Mason playing well or staying healthy...just seems odd to me. Behind Giroux, Mason is the most important guy on the team, IMO.
- Jsaquella

If both of those guys were out for any extended period of time, we're in lottery territory.

I'm just saying Emery hasn't had to be the guy for a team for a long stretch since before he was injured, so it's hard to say he's capable of being the starter without question if Mason gets hurt.

He did have good games against top teams down the stretch. doesn't mean he can start 55-60 games if Mason get hurt or struggles.
- Jsaquella

Well Emery only lost one start his last season with the Chicago Black Hawks before returning to Philadelphia. Obviously that was with clearly one of the best, if not the best team in the game today but we know Emery could hold his own.

Of course it depends on the schedule. Every team deals with a heavy load that might require four games in seven nights, which includes uncomfortable travel on back to back nights. I want to see Mason consistently take on the tougher teams which includes both starts against the Hawks, starting in Columbus against his old team (which he didn't start either) and when heading to Florida, he's gotta take on the stronger southern team in Tampa and not Florida. There is no question that Emery is going to have to face tough competition himself but even if it means going west and facing the Hawks Thursday and facing the Kings Friday night, our Coach needs to decide who is the tougher team (probably based on record) and hand that assignment to Mason. This might be unfair of me to point out I admit but at times I feel like he's been pampered.