News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Philadelphia Flyers have not negotiated with goaltender Steve Mason’s camp all season. Mason is in the final year of his contract worth $4.1MM a year. In 43 games this season he’s posted a 17-17-6 record with a .903 SV% and a 2.83 GAA. Interesting, the Flyers extended their other goaltender, Michael Neuvirth, to a two-year deal worth $2.5MM a year. Neuvrith has worse numbers than Mason, going 10-9-1 in 24 games with a .887 SV% and a 2.90 GAA. Part of the reason may be that if they signed both Mason and Neuvirth, they would have to expose one to the expansion draft this summer.
- New Nashville Predators acquisition P.A. Parenteau will miss tonight’s game after “blowing up” his finger, reports Andrew Gross of the NJ Record. Parenteau’s hand was hit by a puck and will require several stitches. The veteran forward was traded from the New Jersey Devils to Nashville in exchange for a 6th round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Parenteau has 13G and 14A in 59 games so far this season.
- The New York Times reported that Sweden has reintroduced military conscription affecting those born in 1999 and later. This will impact future incoming Swedish players professional development with the prospects of serving—albeit for 9-12 months—in the Swedish military. The NHL is no stranger to this dilemma though. Finland still maintains mandatory military participation—usually around six months—and all Finnish NHLers have or will have to participate during their career. Most Finnish-born players, like Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta, complete their military requirements during the offseason.
Mason’s numbers are skewed by the winning streak earlier in the season. Neuvirth has been the better goalie since he came back from injury. Also, Neuvirth was far better in the playoffs last season. Mason was horrible in the 1st three games against the Capitals. Neuvirth came in and won game 4 & 5 and nearly stole game 6.
You can’t say his numbers are skewed by a winning streak. He was the WINNING goalie. You can’t guarantee Neuvirth would have performed the same. Pitchers in MLB typically get the CY Young based on wins…. no one says well there was that streak or the offense was off the charts when he won.
Neuvirth was signed purely for the reason of exposure in the expansion draft. If they didn’t re-sign one the two they’d have to expose prospect Stolarz.
Also wins in Baseball are a team stat and more voters are coming around.