you shouldn't generalize about fans. especially you.

also, the huet thing you said is dumb. i don't need to write 5 paragraphs about it. it was dumb. when you know you're right you only have to say things once, maybe twice. then there are the people who have to argue every point they make for some reason.
- kicksave856

Really? DUMB?

Go to hockeydb.com and look at the career numbers. OK? And then tell me how that's dumb.

I keep coming back with actual facts. You're calling names because you don't like what the facts actually say.

And I've seen both guys in person more times than I can count.

Really? DUMB?

Go to hockeydb.com and look at the career numbers. OK? And then tell me how that's dumb.

I keep coming back with actual facts. You're calling names because you don't like what the facts actually say.

And I've seen both guys in person more times than I can count.
- John Jaeckel

once or twice.

you've been at this how long now, john?

Wow, I have always had the utmost respect for you JJ and I still do but that CC statement is way off. You know as well as I do that Chicago can make any average goalie look like Ken Dryden. We do not know how Mason would have looked in Chicago but I suspect much better than he has done in Philly. The actual team can make a goalie look bad or great depending on the team. If Dubnyk had not toiled for the Oilers and all their on and off the ice problems he probably would have been an elite goalie long before hitting a solid team like Minnesota. I also remember very clearly how you knocked CC and so did most. To his credit he has become a better than average goalie and even my opinion of him has changed, like yours. All is good JJ, it is impossible to agree on everything and hopefully you see this as a good healthy debate.
- joegreif17

All good, but most in hockey see Crawford as a better goalie. Team Canada selection committee for one. And Mason may never have that kind of defense in front of him ever (to your point). That's why you need a great goalie. Point I made in the blog, man!

You and me both. As much as I love Scott Darling, because he is also a great kid with a great story and you want to talk about overcoming adversity? Ha.

BUT, Raanta, I believe, has some special talent and ICEWATER in his veins. he is a lot like another guy I love and that's Craig Anderson. Craig just wins, and wins huge games in the playoffs, with terrible defenses in front of him, and he has overcome a lot in his career and worked to be that kind of goalie, but he never really melts down or goes into two year funks. Craig, who is an old friend of a friend of mine (also a goalie) and I have met, is incredibly confident and has the attitude you want. Super competitive. Raanta is very easy going in person, but is incredibly competitive on the ice. And I believe he will be a very good #1 in the league somewhere, if not NY.
- John Jaeckel

Awesome, I am thrilled that we agree on Raanta and Darling has been sensational ever since he got his chance. I actually think CC could be moved to alleviate the cap and Darling signed for less to be the number one. It is possible. Thanks for a fun goalie debate. Wishing you and yours a Merry Xmas and all the best in 2017.

once or twice.

you've been at this how long now, john?
- kicksave856

Once or twice what?

I have literally seen Steve Mason play in person like 25-30 times. And Huet about as much. Not following you.

I did not call you "dumb," but I did point out Huet's better career numbers in a few important areas. You want another comparator who doesn't bother you as much. I can find that, too, I guess.

Nor am I going to get into personal crap with you. So, have a nice evening.

Once or twice what?

I have literally seen Steve Mason play in person like 25-30 times. And Huet about as much. Not following you.

I did not call you "dumb," but I did point out Huet's better career numbers in a few important areas. You want another comparator who doesn't bother you as much. I can find that, too, I guess.

Nor am I going to get into personal crap with you. So, have a nice evening.
- John Jaeckel

see ya, john.

(there may still be more posts you have to respond to back there)

All good, but most in hockey see Crawford as a better goalie. Team Canada selection committee for one. And Mason may never have that kind of defense in front of him ever (to your point). That's why you need a great goalie. Point I made in the blog, man!
- John Jaeckel

No argument from me on that. I would take CC over SM in a heartbeat. You may even be right about Mason not being able to win a cup but I am prepared to give him the chance to prove me wrong. He has the talent and mental part should be kicking in anytime soon as he matures. I think Ron Hextall knows what it takes and it will be interesting to see if he resigns Mason or moves on.

Really? DUMB?

Go to hockeydb.com and look at the career numbers. OK? And then tell me how that's dumb.

I keep coming back with actual facts. You're calling names because you don't like what the facts actually say.

And I've seen both guys in person more times than I can count.
- John Jaeckel

I was talking to Dan Cloutier the other day and his story along with Huet's are interesting. Dan was an average #1 on a good team. Huet was actually a great goalie but after the big contract was signed the pressure got to him and like Dan could not stop a beach ball or a Nick Lidstrom shoot in from center ice, lol

you should see me at my worst
- kicksave856

Sorry for saying what I did, I would not like to see you at your worst, haha

I thought you insulted me, 38 years in a keeper that operates like the nhl without the money problems etc. I live the game and totally know every player inside out. I no longer provide information to the Hockey News or McKeens mags because they do not pay me enough.

Once or twice what?

I have literally seen Steve Mason play in person like 25-30 times. And Huet about as much. Not following you.

I did not call you "dumb," but I did point out Huet's better career numbers in a few important areas. You want another comparator who doesn't bother you as much. I can find that, too, I guess.

Nor am I going to get into personal crap with you. So, have a nice evening.
- John Jaeckel

In one post you say "more times than I can count" and then "like 25-30 times", which is it?

The only relevant games for Mason are since he came to philadelphia, and since then he's done enough to get a new contract.

I was talking to Dan Cloutier the other day and his story along with Huet's are interesting. Dan was an average #1 on a good team. Huet was actually a great goalie but after the big contract was signed the pressure got to him and like Dan could not stop a beach ball or a Nick Lidstrom shoot in from center ice, lol
- joegreif17

This recollection of Huet is foreign to me. I remember him being average at best.

In one post you say "more times than I can count" and then "like 25-30 times", which is it?

The only relevant games for Mason are since he came to philadelphia, and since then he's done enough to get a new contract.
- twotoekenn

I agree Mason has done enough to earn a new contract. If Hextall thinks he can get this team a cup he will be resigned. On the surface Mason has earned a contract.

As for Cristobel Huet there was a stretch where he was a very solid goaltentder. Unfortunatley the Hawks gave him a long term contract and he was unable to perform. Lots of jokes about him but he certainly had his moment as a great goalie.

I agree Mason has done enough to earn a new contract. If Hextall thinks he can get this team a cup he will be resigned. On the surface Mason has earned a contract.

As for Cristobel Huet there was a stretch where he was a very solid goaltentder. Unfortunatley the Hawks gave him a long term contract and he was unable to perform. Lots of jokes about him but he certainly had his moment as a great goalie.
- joegreif17

I have some concerns about mason, but right he's the best option and I think he deserves a new contract. Nothing crazy but 3-4 years and 4-5 per season. We'll have to agree to disagree on huet, I thought he was just average with only a season in mtl that he looked like a #1 goalie.

I have some concerns about mason, but right he's the best option and I think he deserves a new contract. Nothing crazy but 3-4 years and 4-5 per season. We'll have to agree to disagree on huet, I thought he was just average with only a season in mtl that he looked like a #1 goalie.
- twotoekenn

No problem, agree on Mason and Huet is not worth arguing about, lol

Sorry for saying what I did, I would not like to see you at your worst, haha

I thought you insulted me, 38 years in a keeper that operates like the nhl without the money problems etc. I live the game and totally know every player inside out. I no longer provide information to the Hockey News or McKeens mags because they do not pay me enough.
- joegreif17

no problem. i figured there had just been some wires crossed back there.

Well The stats back up JJ:

Player GP W L T OT W% SA SVS GA SV% GAA
Cristobal Huet 272 129 90 11 26 47% 7216 6591 625 0.913 2.46
Steve Mason 431 187 165 0 58 43% 12319 11221 1098 0.911 2.69



Huet Better Win % and GGA...

Frankly, they are both below average Goalies

Long periods where he cant stop a beach ball? Where the hell do they find these writers who not only talk out their ass but know nothing about hockey?

Why are people shocked by what the troll writer for the Hawks wrote?

This is the same guy who called Giroux a 3rd plugger back when the Hawks and Flyers were battling for the Cup (hint he wasn't a 3rd line plugger back then either).

I like Mason as a player who steps up. The Flyers' stumble in the playoffs last year was because, frankly, they were out of their depth. They're good, but still missing the dominating all around game to say they're legit contenders. (Consistency would be the key.)

Re-signing Mason mean 4.5 to 5.75 million for 4-5 years. Given the glut the Flyers have in the system, and possibly legit players like Carter Hart and Alex Lyon, I could see the Flyers switching to a team of Stolarz and Lyon next year, and waiting to see how they do and if Hart develops more.

Pros to keeping Mason:
He's good and can step up, and he keeps the Flyers playoff contenders.

Cons:
Cap space. Younger, talented (albeit unproven) Gs would give the Flyers cap space.
Longer he stays, more likely a log-jam of talented Gs the team might not be able to effectively utilize.

Guess is, if the Flyers keep him, either he or Stolarz will go down some point next year due to an injury, which gives them the chance to test out Lyon at the NHL level.

Smart move would be to sign him and then trade him at the end of next year (assuming Lyon continues to develop). But again, it goes back to cap space and assessing who's due for a raise in the next two-three years. Not re-signing him puts the Flyers in a weak spot which could turn next year into a re-building year.

Really? DUMB?

Go to hockeydb.com and look at the career numbers. OK? And then tell me how that's dumb.

I keep coming back with actual facts. You're calling names because you don't like what the facts actually say.

And I've seen both guys in person more times than I can count.
- John Jaeckel

I really don't care about Mason's stats prior to coming to philly, after his first year with the Jackets he was awful & couldn't get himself back together. Sometimes players actually do need changes of scenery to keep their career going, and that was the exact case with Mason. Since he's been here he's put up a .920 Sv% & a 2.44 GAA, I'm very comfortable with those numbers for my starter.

I like Mason as a player who steps up. The Flyers' stumble in the playoffs last year was because, frankly, they were out of their depth. They're good, but still missing the dominating all around game to say they're legit contenders. (Consistency would be the key.)

Re-signing Mason mean 4.5 to 5.75 million for 4-5 years. Given the glut the Flyers have in the system, and possibly legit players like Carter Hart and Alex Lyon, I could see the Flyers switching to a team of Stolarz and Lyon next year, and waiting to see how they do and if Hart develops more.

Pros to keeping Mason:
He's good and can step up, and he keeps the Flyers playoff contenders.

Cons:


Very good analysis. I think you are dead on and a big decision will have to be made. I think how Mason plays for the remainder of the year will dictate which ways cousin Ron will go. Mason quite often gets the job done but last night's shootup made him look bad. There were many routine saves that he fought off in my opinion. Mason himself will decide his fate.
Cap space. Younger, talented (albeit unproven) Gs would give the Flyers cap space.
Longer he stays, more likely a log-jam of talented Gs the team might not be able to effectively utilize.

Guess is, if the Flyers keep him, either he or Stolarz will go down some point next year due to an injury, which gives them the chance to test out Lyon at the NHL level.

Smart move would be to sign him and then trade him at the end of next year (assuming Lyon continues to develop). But again, it goes back to cap space and assessing who's due for a raise in the next two-three years. Not re-signing him puts the Flyers in a weak spot which could turn next year into a re-building year.
- sdrowkcab

Really, Joe? I go back to Bobby Orr and Bobby Hull, the 60s, and what the hell difference does that make anyway?

Mason is a #1 for some clubs, I will grant you that. The POINT of what I wrote is this: the Flyers have some nice pieces and a great coach. My opinion is, you need that goalie who has the goods, physically and mentally, to get you to the Cup, when you have the other pieces, and I don't think Mason is that. I don't think a "decent" #1 goalie is that. OK? I think there are about 15 guys in the league maybe who do that, unless the team in front of them is REALLY good (like Antti Niemi in 2010, one example).

And no Mason can't carry Corey Crawford's jockstrap with a Caterpillar D9. You want stats on that one? I got 'em.
- John Jaeckel

I go back to the 60's as well and even the late 50's when the Habs were my team as a kid. Boom Boom Geffrion was my favourite probably because of the big slapper but I knew every one of them big time. I also go back to the days of Makita, Elmer the Moose Vasko and Glenn Hall. Just saying I am a hockey lifer that hockey has formed my entire life. Plus an invite to the NYR training camp as a fa back in 1970. I think you and I could have some great conversations.