The spelling was intentional. its the way I learned how to spell it and will always do so rather than succumb to the laziness of today's youth. WTF is up with them anyway? IMO they r just illiterate. Now I will just wait 4 more dum responses.
And i am now going to research the use of dilemNa in situations involving more than two choices. If it is limited to 2 I thank DSL for providing me with a useful tidbit of info to embarrass my learned colleagues with should the situation arise.
Wow, we definitely need some concrete stuff to talk about. Can't wait for the draft.
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May 27, 2012
Report Card: Mason
The latest in our post-season Blue Jackets player report cards:
Steve Mason
Age: 24
Position: Goaltender
Contract status: Signed through 2012-13
Year in review: For a third straight season and under a new goaltending coach, Mason compiled some of the worst statistics in the NHL, prompting the Blue Jackets to recognize that he can’t be their starter next season. … The Blue Jackets have said Mason could return as the back-up next season, but it seems their preference is to move on without him. Good luck with that, as he has $3.2 million remaining on his deal. … It’s not all Mason, of course. The play in front of him has never been up to NHL standards, and its had a corrosive effect on both his psyche and his technique. The result? There’s no confidence between Mason and his teammates, in either direction. … Most agree that the 2008-09 season, when Mason won the Calder Trophy and nearly won the Vezina Trophy, was ultimately the worst thing that could have happened to him an the Blue Jackets. Simply put: Mason thought this was going to be easy. … Then again, what else could the Blue Jackets do in 2008-09? They were so desperate for their first playoff berth, they had no choice but to give the kid the keys to the kingdom. It’s a tragedy almost worthy of Shakespeare. … The prevailing theory is that Mason – like almost every goaltender – needed time in the minors to sort out his game and grow up. There’s time in the AHL to work through your struggles, to learn how to overcome adversity and learn about yourself. Going right to the ‘show’ and finding immediate success, he has no idea how to right the ship, no foundation on which to lean. … Mason seems to be friends with many of his teammates, but respect among veterans is another issue. He doesn’t work hard unless prodded, insiders say. … Only Tampa Bay’s Dwayne Roloson (3.66) had a worse goals-against average than Mason’s 3.39, and only Roloson (.886) and the New York Islander’s Al Montoya (.893) had lower save percentages than Mason’s .894. … The most irritating aspect of Mason’s game right now to current NHL goaltenders or goalie coaches? His body language. The way his shoulders stoop, and the way he looks up to the rafters in disgust after allowing a bad goal is a huge no-no at that position. … Mason played better under coach Todd Richards – especially in the final 20 games – than he did under his predecessor, Scott Arniel. … Ask NHL GMs, coaches and scouts if Mason can resurrect his career and you get mixed results, almost 50-50. Ask if he can do it with the Blue Jackets, and almost nobody thinks it’s possible.
Grade: F
Career trajectory: In flux
Hadn't noticed this before. Grade deserved. Need for Mason to have a change of scenery endorsed.
Hadn't noticed this before. Grade deserved. Need for Mason to have a change of scenery endorsed.
What's really going to shock some people is that I completely agree. I just don't see a severe issue with that change of scenery coming in, say, 13-14.
(I also don't think it's completely impossible for him to resurrect his career here... but it's "not impossible" in the same sense that, say, our draft pick this year beating Selanne's rookie scoring record isn't impossible.)
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Remember - when you're a hockey fan, it's not "reckless driving", it's "good forechecking".
"Viqsi, you are our sweet humanist..." --mt-svk on the CBJ boards
Thanks, Howson, for cleaning up MacLean's toxic waste. Welcome, Kekalainen; let's get good things built!
Solving a goalie problem is a tough thing to do. I was just reading an article saying Bernier might have the capability to be a #1 but has never proved that he can.
So if I can sum up all that I have learned on this thread it is this:
Pick goalies galore in the draft but never before the 166th pick. Anything above that probably is going to bust just as much as those picked 166th and lower. Hopefully one day the blind squirrel theory kicks in and you have your future Vezina Trophy winner.
Never trade for a goalie who has potential (unless he was drafted 165th or lower).
Never trade for a guy with a year left on his contract.
Never trade for a guy with 10 years left on his contract.
Hope that you can acquire this year's Mike Smith and not this year's Bryzgalov.
Never give up anything of value for a goalie because well who knows.
Be prepared to have your goalie situation be unsettled for at least 6 years because your 166th or higher draft choice will take that long to develop. If you picked one that will develop.
The only way we know Mason preforms is starting for the CBJ. I think to figure out what to do with him is bury him in the minors and see how he plays things out there. If he happens to be the exact same as he is as always, then we can trade him. Not many teams will want Mason before the season starts as their permanent backup. But in the middle of the season, if a team's goalie goes down, we trade mason for nothing since we won't get anything for him anyway. Thoughts?
By the time Howson gets around to acting on this problem, his only alternative is to have Mason as his number one goalie. Any good ones will be gone in the blink of an eye.
The only way we know Mason preforms is starting for the CBJ. I think to figure out what to do with him is bury him in the minors and see how he plays things out there. If he happens to be the exact same as he is as always, then we can trade him. Not many teams will want Mason before the season starts as their permanent backup. But in the middle of the season, if a team's goalie goes down, we trade mason for nothing since we won't get anything for him anyway. Thoughts?
Maybe, but playing the minors would, probably slice his already low trade value some if the intent by the acquiring team is to play him in the NHL. He'll still need paid his full salary even if he plays in the minors and the big one: Nothing about his attitude thus far has proven to me that he will take the demotion in stride and play well. The CBJ need three goalies this season, A number 1, (arguably) a number 2, and a number 3 to carry the workload in Springfield while York backs them up. Dekanich maybe could've filled this role, but with his contract expired and the extremely disappointing way last season unfolded for him, I'd wager we've seen the last of him. If we gamble on sending Mason down, we better hope he takes the demotion in stride and works hard, because he will be the organization's number three and the lynchpin in Springfield. I guess if the case of this situation, we could call him up on re-entries with the intent that another team's made it known they'll claim him at half his salary too....
Let's say NJ wants him to be post-Marty goalie. What does it take to get him?
Ari Ahonen.
Probably either one of the Devils' current goalie prospects (Wedgewood or Clermont), or else a draft pick that could net a goalie prospect of similar caliber (3rd-5th, I'd imagine).
Probably either one of the Devils' current goalie prospects (Wedgewood or Clermont), or else a draft pick that could net a goalie prospect of similar caliber (3rd-5th, I'd imagine).
For too long this organization has relegated the backup goaltender position and turned it into the least important position on the team.... This is the reason our organization has burned though goaltenders, not enough emphasis is placed on getting a guy that both can be a backup and excels at it while at the same time maturely pushing the guy above him.
I wish I did not have to wade through 100 posts before finding gems like this. Spot on from a Vancouver fan perspective. I will say though that Sanford delivered everything you could ask in a backup last year, but trying to replace him should be a top priority (after fixing the starting spot).
I may be in the minority in Vancouver but I think the best call for the team is to trade Schneider. Pandering to fickle fans by trading Lou is a bad move. I think he's available to Columbus and I think only Tampa can rival the package that Columbus can offer to get him. I think he'd be super happy to play in a college town and his character is off the charts. Perfect for Columbus.
If Yakupov is gone with the first pick, I think trading the second for Schneider (+?) is a good move for CBJ. I'm not sure Gillis wants picks with the holes on the blueline, but it's at least decent asset management. I'll go as far as to say that Vancouver will ship Schneider and their first to CBJ for the 2nd overall and a 2nd rounder in 2013.
Trading Johansen is a no go for sure. He's a better asset than anyone in this draft not named Yakupov.
Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Told #CBJ made mutliple offers to #Predators in attempt to get G Anders Lindback. Not a surprise the #Preds wouldn't trade him in division.
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