Bill Meltzer: Musings: Schenn Gets 3 Games, Final Thoughts on 'Mason vs. Neuvirth'

Only thing I disagree with is that schenn jumped into the hit. It was only a glancing blow really so to me it doesn't make sense that the force of the blow would cause him to go airborn.

I have no problem with this being a suspendable hit. I really don't even have much of a problem with the chimera hit as Voracek definitely contributed to putting himself in a poor position.

How the hell does letang get away with what he did? A guy who has a history of dirty play gets the benefit of the doubt from the league somehow? I was starting to not mind the Penguins so much up until this.

Great write up Bill and I always appreciate kind words on the services Mason has brought to this team since we got him. Now I know it's best to retain both the goalies, but with both of them being UFAs at the end of 16-17 season, do you see one being traded at the deadline or both kept and choosing which to sign long term? Obviously it's a tough question to answer especially considering injuries could happen to both goalies at some point again. A lot of clueless fans are so ready to trade Mason and sign Neuvy long term while I'm more on the side of sticking with Mason since he's proven he can hold the workload for the flyers in previous seasons

Only thing I disagree with is that schenn jumped into the hit. It was only a glancing blow really so to me it doesn't make sense that the force of the blow would cause him to go airborn.

I have no problem with this being a suspendable hit. I really don't even have much of a problem with the chimera hit as Voracek definitely contributed to putting himself in a poor position.

How the hell does letang get away with what he did? A guy who has a history of dirty play gets the benefit of the doubt from the league somehow? I was starting to not mind the Penguins so much up until this.
- Just5

They would rather not suspend an important player during an important time.

Ratings are more important than consistency or player safety. Taking letang out would shorten a series.

Hopefully the flyers don't take the whiners approach and push for suspensions like the caps. Sit back let the media do the complaining It will benefit the team in the long run.

Voice of reason on the goalies. Thank you.

Maybe all Stolarz needs is a chance. Murray and Andersen sure seem to be doing ok, drafted with picks 83 and 87 respectively in the 2012 NHL draft.

Does anyone know what the "family situation" was for Mason? All reports were specifically vague in that regard...

It does make me wonder had Nuveirth not got hurt, if he possibly would have played more games during the season? Again, 6 goals in 6 games you wouldn't even beat the Caps' AHL affiliate.

Big Mason fan and love what Nuveirth has provided them. 2 of the biggest reasons why there was a playoff spot and why it went 6 games.

Maybe all Stolarz needs is a chance. Murray and Andersen sure seem to be doing ok, drafted with picks 83 and 87 respectively in the 2012 NHL draft.
- PLindbergh31

A) Just because they are getting NHL time doesnt mean they are better
B) Just because they were drafted after Stolarz doesnt mean they cant debut before or be better than him
C) Just because Stolarz hasnt gotten a chance doesnt mean he wont or it will affect him negatively

Only thing I disagree with is that schenn jumped into the hit. It was only a glancing blow really so to me it doesn't make sense that the force of the blow would cause him to go airborne.
- Just5

Are you saying you think Schenn jumped into the hit?

Does anyone know what the "family situation" was for Mason? All reports were specifically vague in that regard...
- WhirlingDervish

All local media members know. Steve asked for it to be kept private, and we have honored that request.

Maybe all Stolarz needs is a chance. Murray and Andersen sure seem to be doing ok, drafted with picks 83 and 87 respectively in the 2012 NHL draft.
- PLindbergh31

Both are more advanced than Stolie in their development to date. The Flyers drafted Stolie for upside but knew he was a bundle of raw materials. He has come a long, long way but still has some consistency of mechanics, patience and tracking things to refine just a little bit more.

Neuvirth is the better goalie, and if you had a coach with half a brain, he should have been put in for the 2nd game, and maybe the series would different today.

A) Just because they are getting NHL time doesnt mean they are better
B) Just because they were drafted after Stolarz doesnt mean they cant debut before or be better than him
C) Just because Stolarz hasnt gotten a chance doesnt mean he wont or it will affect him negatively
- YuenglingJagr

yeah but... just imagine where the flyers would be if they had drafted either one of those 2!!!!!

Honestly that mistake will cost them for years to come imo.

Neuvirth is the better goalie, and if you had a coach with half a brain, he should have been put in for the 2nd game, and maybe the series would different today.
- newwave

Flyers scored a combined one goal for games one and two. Mason was very good in Game 1. Neuvirth is so much clearly better than the same-aged Mason that he has 200 fewer games of NHL experience.

Other than that, you hit the nail on the head

Neuvirth is the better goalie, and if you had a coach with half a brain, he should have been put in for the 2nd game, and maybe the series would different today.
- newwave

We have a coach with a full brain, fantastic hair, and elite staring capabilities...but thanks for your input

yeah but... just imagine where the flyers would be if they had drafted either one of those 2!!!!!

Honestly that mistake will cost them for years to come imo.
- Yosimar89

sensed sarcasm but then you said honestly...both goalies are great but each of them are playing in front of better teams than the Flyers. are you seriously suggesting they are going to regret drafting Stolarz before he even plays an NHL game?

Morin will take care of #8
- vejim

Yeah, he'll make sure to hand the puck over to OV after he scores his 600th.

We have a coach with a full brain, fantastic hair, and elite staring capabilities...but thanks for your input
- YuenglingJagr

Well said. Only a coach with "half a brain" would have made the switch for Game 2. Switch was made when it should have been.

All local media members know. Steve asked for it to be kept private, and we have honored that request.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for responding Bill

the DOPS is a complete and utter joke. its so much of a pick and choose decision process often based on results rather than the action itself. Chimera clearly drives Voracek's head into the boards in an very unnecessary and danger hit and doesn't even get a fine let alone a suspension. I have no issue with the Schenn decision but I do have a problem with the inconsistency.

between the way they hand out suspension coupled with the playoff format, the NHL is a joke. its a shame. go back to 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 and so on. re-seed after each round. if Nashville happens to win tonight we will have based on points 1 vs 2 and6 vs 7 and even if Ana wins its 4 vs 6. same situation in the east....1 vs 2 and 5 vs 6. that is just stupid. hey in the name of "rivalries" lets have the best teams knock each other out early. I hate this format with a passion. a team shouldn't be rewarded for winning a weaker division and it should always be re-seeded. DUMB

Only thing I disagree with is that schenn jumped into the hit. It was only a glancing blow really so to me it doesn't make sense that the force of the blow would cause him to go airborn.

I have no problem with this being a suspendable hit. I really don't even have much of a problem with the chimera hit as Voracek definitely contributed to putting himself in a poor position.

How the hell does letang get away with what he did? A guy who has a history of dirty play gets the benefit of the doubt from the league somehow? I was starting to not mind the Penguins so much up until this.
- Just5

Voracek did not put himself in a bad position. this was not a case of turning last second. Chimera had plenty of time not to make that hit

Flyers scored a combined one goal for games one and two. Mason was very good in Game 1. Neuvirth is so much clearly better than the same-aged Mason that he has 200 fewer games of NHL experience.

Other than that, you hit the nail on the head
- bmeltzer

Hey Bill, do you have Mason's stats from the end of the season, specifically in the 12 games in a row he started to just get us in the playoffs? I believe he had a streak of allowing no more than 2 goals for 7 or 8 straight games.

Voracek did not put himself in a bad position. this was not a case of turning last second. Chimera had plenty of time not to make that hit
- nastyflyergirl

its night and day with that voracek hit, which is what makes me so mad about not only the ruling on schenn, but a no ruling of any kind on chimera. yeah the series is over, but still, not being very consistent. also, voracek did not put himself in a bad position whatsoever, i dont even know how you can surmise that from watching the video.