Mason makes Jets better

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This article was published 02/07/2017 (2988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Locking Locking up Steve Mason for the next two NHL seasons should be a clear sign a plan of any kind that involves rotating goalies is now shoved in a filing cabinet somewhere — right behind the scheme to play Dustin Byfuglien on the wing.

The Winnipeg Jets landed Mason, 29, a nine-year veteran, on Saturday — the start of the NHL’s annual free agent spending frenzy — inking the former NHL rookie of the year to a two-year deal with an annual cap hit of US$4.1 million.

That’s the exact same coin he earned with the Philadelphia Flyers in three previous seasons that, collectively, would best be described as inconsistent. It’s starter’s money, possibly even an overpayment for a goalie who started 54 contests and posted a 26-21-8 record, with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage during the 2016-17 campaign.

But Winnipeg, burdened last season with the goaltending troubles of Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson, required a proven No. 1 guy and that meant general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had to ante up.

Playing in a passionate hockey market and getting a chance to be the go-to goalie were the main considerations for joining the Jets, Mason, an intimidating net protector at 6-4, 217 pounds, told reporters during a conference call from his hometown of Oakville, Ont.

“I look at it as a great opportunity. Every goaltender wants to be a No. 1 goaltender and I think there’s an opportunity here to work with Connor and play lots of hockey. Our goal is going to be able to provide the Jets with some real consistent, strong goaltending. Night in and night out, regardless of who is in the net,” he said.

Translation? While a platoon system sounds like a cordial approach for a couple of goalies who aren’t yet acquainted, Mason was sold on Winnipeg because he believes he’ll receive the lion’s share of the starts this season, a pivotal one for the Jets who possess enough scoring to make a return to the post-season but desperately need to tighten up defensively while receiving reliable netminding for that to occur.

An ex-teammate of Mason’s advises the Jets to run with him.

“He’s as good as anyone I’ve ever played with. When he is on, he is so good. He’s really streaky,” said a former Philadelphia teammate, who requested anonymity. “Absolutely works extremely hard. One hundred per cent I think he will have (Hellebuyck) on the bench more than what he wants. 

“I think he adds some consistency back there. He’s a veteran goalie, knows what it takes to be successful and, in my opinion, is their No. 1 guy right now.”

Mason struggled through the first four months of last season while sharing duties with Michal Neuvirth, registering a save percentage below the .900 mark. But in February he turned his game around. In the final three months of the year, he was fourth in the NHL in save percentage (.926) and fifth in goals-against average (2.14). 

If anything, the Flyers didn’t lean on Mason enough, the former teammate maintains. He said Mason feeds off the rhythm of consecutive starts and can really heat up with added responsibility.

“When he did (get handed the reins), we won 10 in a row,” he said.

Cheveldayoff said signing Mason and working out a three-year, US$12.99-million deal with Dmitry Kulikov — a Russian-born, left-shooting defenceman who immediately plugs into Winnipeg’s top six — were achieved to address some high-priority issues for the Central Division club, and “checks off a couple of boxes.”

“I think we should focus on the now. These deals were about the now,” he said. “We’ve got a fantastic guy we feel has been a No. 1 and is a No. 1 in the NHL, and is ready, willing and excited to help push the Jets forward.”

Cheveldayoff and his head coach Paul Maurice need to stick with that commitment. The organization made a colossal overestimation of Hellebuyck’s preparedness to seize command of the net, thrusting him into a position where he doubled his starts from the previous season. On Saturday, the Jets admitted their mistake and made a correction. Now, there’s just one way to learn if the fix holds. 

Start Mason on Wednesday, Oct. 4 when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit Bell MTS Centre to kick off the 2017-18 season. Just days later, start him at least twice during the Jets’ three-game road trip through Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Start him 32 of 40 games before New Year’s Day, and then pencil him for another 32 through the final three months of the season as team drives for just its second appearance in the playoffs.

Mason said he’s a more complete goalie than the one who took the league by storm in 2008-09, registering a league-leading 10 shutouts and a 33-20-7 record in 61 starts for the Columbus Blue Jackets and capping off the year with the Calder Trophy.

In subsequent seasons in Columbus, though, he struggled to find that same success, losing confidence and looking like he could use a fresh start. He was traded to Philadelphia in April of the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. The following season (2013-14) he had 61 starts with the Flyers, going 33-18-7.

The numbers bear out Mason is at his best when the workload is heavy. And he projects the best is yet to come.

“I’ve been in the league for nine full years now and I believe every year my game has grown. At 29 years old right now, I feel I’m entering the prime of my career,” he said. “I really believe my game in the last number of years is 10 times better than it was in my first year. I believe my game has matured. I believe I read the game much better now than I ever did during my time in Columbus. I believe I have a lot to look forward to.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPJasonBell