Flyers' Michal Neuvirth says he can be 'just as good' as Tuukka Rask
The goalie remains confident despite a down season.
Despite a poor season, Michal Neuvirth's confidence is intact.
The Flyers goalie had just an 11-11-1 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and .891 save percentage this season, making it easy to forget he was once ahead of Braden Holtby when they were teammates in the Washington Capitals' farm system.
Holtby was last year's Vezina Trophy winner as the league's best goaltender.
When he played for Hershey, the Capitals' AHL affiliate, Neuvirth was No.1. Holtby was No. 2.
"I see all the guys from the minors that I was beating in the AHL, like Tuukka Rask, Cory Schneider, for example. I know I can be just as good as them," Neuvirth said Tuesday.
Rask, who has been one of the NHL's top goalies for several seasons and won the Vezina Trophy in 2013-14, was 37-20-5 with Boston this season and had a 2.23 GAA and .915 save percentage.
Yes, the Flyers would gladly take similar numbers from the often-injured Neuvirth, who recently signed a two-year contract for a total of $5 million.
Entering the recently completed season, the Flyers didn't have a designated No. 1 goalie, and Neuvirth and Steve Mason were in the last years of their contracts. (Mason still has not re-signed.)
"It was the pressure of a contract year," Neuvirth said. "Always speculating who's the guy and who's not the guy. For me, I was trying to put all those things behind me and just focus on myself. I know it was a tough season for me and there were a lot of up and downs, but I know I can be way better. ... I am going to use this year as a motivation, work harder in the summer, come back and be ready to go."
Breakaways. GM Ron Hextall and coach Dave Hakstol will discuss the season -- and the team's future -- when they meet with the media Thursday. ... Alternate captain Wayne Simmonds on aiding Claude Giroux with his leadership role: "Claude's our captain, but I'm here to help him. We're here to help our younger guys and get this thing going in the right direction and not only get into the playoffs. I think he's getting better and he's being a leader. I think I'd probably be the bad cop for the most part. G's the nice guy; I'm the man that's yelling. I'm probably more all over guys for some things."