Those delay of games were a bugaboo last night, but I did think the Flyers did a good job of limiting the opposition's opportunities in that last 5 mins including the PK...Mason saved the penalty shot for Kimmo and the team did a pretty good job of thwarting further attacks from the Sens and keeping them from getting a lot of time in (the Flyers) zone, even getting the shortie empty netter.
- exlund

Warranted or not (there was a dive or two in there, IMO), the Flyers went to the box far, far too much to my liking.

Wait, what? Dubnyk? Man, I'd rather go with Ray Emery for two years as the unquestioned starter, then hope and pray that Heeter or Stolarz ride in on a white horse.

Dubnyk is playing better now, but he was brutal for the Oilers when it mattered.
- AllInForFlyers

He didn't even look like an NHL starter most nights until they sign Bryzgalof. That's no coincidence.

So we're 20 games in, Mason is playing exceptionally well and we're scoping out his replacement already?

And people call me pessimistic.

- mayorofangrytown

It's just easier to give up on him, honestly

they need to sign mason and chain him in goal for the next 5 years, no matter what. the worst thing they do is "the hot goalie" carousel. when hank and marty have bad stretches they aren't looking over their shoulder wondering if they'll be riding the bench for 2 weeks. sign mason to a 4 yr $10-11 million deal as soon as you can
- hogweed

Right now, you'd be lucky if you could get his agent not to scoff at $4M/year... $2.5M would be less than what he took a pay-cut from coming from Columbus... that discount was understood to be a one-time thing.

i've been female doging about that for years. it's one of the things that keeps me away most of the time now. just can't deal with it for 3 hours. i want to watch a (frank)ing hockey game. turn it the (frank) down.
- hammarby31

seriously, we went to games together for several years and it got to the point where it was just too annoying to try to talk because of the ridiculously loud music. for the pregame warmups and right before faceoff to get things pumped up.....cool. for 3 hours? not so much

Right now, you'd be lucky if you could get his agent not to scoff at $4M/year... $2.5M would be less than what he took a pay-cut from coming from Columbus... that discount was understood to be a one-time thing, too.
- Tomahawk

If they could get him for 4 years at that hit, I'd be all over it. But I'm thinking he'll want multiple years at $3M+. I really think 3 years at that total is more like it. If they get him for 3 years at $3.5M, it's a reasonable hit and you're not tied to him forever.

at first I thought it was in but after watching it another half dozen times I am not convinced it was in. Looked to me that it hit his shin area which was angled out of the net as you said
- nastyflyergirl

I agree. I think part of the puck must have crossed the line, but looking at where his feet were (relative to the goal line) there is no way the entire puck crossed the line. Grossmann's right foot is clearly behind the goal line, but not far enough to allow the entire puck to cross the line before it hits his boot and bounces out. For me, the best angle looks like it was very close, but never all the way across the line. Or to rephrase, there is no replay that shows conclusively that the entire puck crossed the line. And given the placement of Grossmann's foot, it's hard to imagine how it could have since it clearly hits his foot and bounces out.

I admit I might feel differently if I'm an Ottawa fan, but that's the way it looked to me.

If they could get him for 4 years at that hit, I'd be all over it. But I'm thinking he'll want multiple years at $3M+. I really think 3 years at that total is more like it. If they get him for 3 years at $3.5M, it's a reasonable hit and you're not tied to him forever.
- jmatchett383

That would be a reasonable deal...

However, player having career year + Homer as GM doesn't exactly equate to a reasonable deal very often.

But the issue I have with the one-year deal is what happens when Edmonton or Calgary throws $5M for 5 years at him after he's had (hopefully) 2 good years in Philly? You're not gonna match that (can't, with the cap), and now you've lost your 2nd good, young goalie in 3 years. I'm not saying give him a 7-year, $30M deal. But I think a 3-year, $12M deal is fair for him.
- jmatchett383

third if you throw in joachim ericsson the top prospect homer let walk in the wake of the bryzaster

He didn't even look like an NHL starter most nights until they sign Bryzgalof. That's no coincidence.
- mayorofangrytown

That is the truth -- I saw a couple of games where I couldn't believe he was the best option Edmonton had.

third if you throw in joachim ericsson the top prospect homer let walk in the wake of the bryzaster
- hogweed

Agreed, but they let him walk in favor of Niko Hovinen.

That would be a reasonable deal...

However, player having career year + Homer as GM doesn't exactly equate to a reasonable deal very often.
- Tomahawk

Ha! Past is certainly prologue, but on this one, so soon after the Bryzgalov debacle...I think Mason will ask for four years, might get it, but I could easily see him getting three years.

Let's not kid ourselves: It's not going to be a penny less than $3 million, and probably closer to $4 million. No one can deny the guy came in here last year, ate a "Prove It" extension, and has played well.

If he brings this thing in at a .915 or better...he's not going to take another "Prove It" deal.

Right now, you'd be lucky if you could get his agent not to scoff at $4M/year... $2.5M would be less than what he took a pay-cut from coming from Columbus... that discount was understood to be a one-time thing.
- Tomahawk

i think he takes 4yr in the 10 to 12 range right now. his agent knows if he starts to fade the hype and price will go down. i say take a shot at him now and ride him

i think he takes 4yr in the 10 to 12 range right now. his agent knows if he starts to fade the hype and price will go down. i say take a shot at him now and ride him
- hogweed

I think that's where the negotiation for the Flyers starts.

It's one thing to overpay a guy like Leighton who was a journeyman AHLer for years and caught lightning in a bottle for 30 games, or to pay a crazy amount to Bryzgalov without letting him hit the market. It's another to have a young guy who's displayed he has the talent and ability and to pay him $3.5M-$4M for 3-4 years to be your #1. I'd rather go that route than sign him for one year and then overpay since he's a UFA.
- jmatchett383

Let's be fair. He had a lights-out rookie year, 4 sucky years, and a dozen or so good games this year.

Will the real Steve Mason please stand up.

seriously, we went to games together for several years and it got to the point where it was just too annoying to try to talk because of the ridiculously loud music. for the pregame warmups and right before faceoff to get things pumped up.....cool. for 3 hours? not so much
- nastyflyergirl

maybe we just ran out of things to talk about like an old married couple.

I'm basing it on his contract for this year, his RFA status, and his play this year.

He's due for a raise, but not a mammoth one.
- bradleyc4

he is a RFA after this year but I am pretty sure this contract is his last as a RFA. he will cost even more, assuming he has a good year next year, as a UFA.

i think he takes 4yr in the 10 to 12 range right now. his agent knows if he starts to fade the hype and price will go down. i say take a shot at him now and ride him
- hogweed

Mason's never been more valuable... and his agent is going to sell low on him now and leave a bunch of money on the table? Yeah, sounds likely.

he is a RFA after this year but I am pretty sure this contract is his last as a RFA. he will cost even more, assuming he has a good year next year, as a UFA.
- nastyflyergirl

Unless his name his Henrik Lundqvist, or he's playing for Julien/Tippett, his having the same kind of year next year is pretty remote.

maybe we just ran out of things to talk about like an old married couple.
- hammarby31

well we always had the fall back of complaining about the dumb asses (not the regulars) who sat around us and annoyed the living hell out of us

I say we sign Mason to a 9 year/51 million contract! Worked great last time!

That would be a reasonable deal...

However, player having career year + Homer as GM doesn't exactly equate to a reasonable deal very often.
- Tomahawk

I have faith that our Assistant GM might know a thing or two about what it takes to be a good goalie in the NHL. I'm sure he'll weigh in on the contract... If it comes in high then they believe he's the real deal. And I'm ok with that.

well we always had the fall back of complaining about the dumb asses (not the regulars) who sat around us and annoyed the living hell out of us
- nastyflyergirl

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.)

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

Unless his name his Henrik Lundqvist, or he's playing for Julien/Tippett, his having the same kind of year next year is pretty remote.
- Tomahawk

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.