Flyers have no worries with Mason in goal

The Flyers have questions about their Kimmo Timonen-less defense; questions about Claude Giroux's health and who will replace left winger Scott Hartnell; questions about whether young players such as Sean Couturier, Luke Schenn, and Michael Del Zotto can take their games to another level.

But for the first time in a while, there are few questions about the team's most important position.

That's because goalie Steve Mason rediscovered his mojo last season, and even outplayed the great Henrik Lundqvist in the Flyers' seven-game playoff loss to the New York Rangers.

"There's not one person in the organization that doesn't believe in Mason," forward Brayden Schenn said after the Flyers opened camp Friday in Voorhees. "You see what he did last year. When he's on his game, he's one of the better goalies in the league. Just shooting on him in practice, there's no holes. And the thing about him is that he never quits on a play, even in practice."

Mason, 26, has regained the confidence he lost in Columbus, where he struggled for four seasons after being named the rookie of the year in 2008-09.

In his first full season with the Flyers, the Ontario native went 33-18-7 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .917 save percentage - and he did it with a mediocre defense in front of him. Mason finished seventh in the NHL in wins, and he excelled in the team's brief playoff run.

Mason is trying to put together back-to-back strong seasons for the first time in his NHL career.

"It's exciting, but at the same time, a player comes into a new season with a lot to prove," said Mason, adding he has completely recovered from a broken right pinkie suffered in July. "I'm looking forward to building off last year, and getting better as a goaltender and as a team. The core group of guys we have here are a year older and a little more experienced, and I think that's invaluable. We weren't able to make the biggest of [offseason] moves, but we've got some quality guys that came in, and the general consensus around here is a lot of excitement."

The Flyers overcame a 1-7 start last season, earned a playoff spot, and took the Rangers - a team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals - to the limit in the opening round.

Mason missed the first two playoff games because of a concussion, but finished with a 1.97 GAA and a staggering .939 save percentage in five postseason games, including a relief role in Game 3. He led all playoff goalies in both of those categories, based on at least five games.

But Mason's impressive play wasn't enough because the Flyers averaged just two goals per game in the playoffs and, quite simply, seemed to be chasing the games because the speedier Rangers had the puck too often.

"You go into the summertime with that sour taste, and you let that drive the summer," said Mason, a strong puckhandler who should benefit from a new rule that will extend the trapezoid behind the net by four feet this season. "Now we're back here, and everybody's starting from the same page."

New general manager Ron Hextall, a former standout goalie, thinks Mason is just scratching the surface of his potential.

"Mase has proved he's a real talented guy in stretches, that he can play real well," Hextall said. "He's just got to prove now that, year to year, he can be consistent. I think the growing process mentally for a young goalie, or young player, takes time. I think Mase is much more of a pro now than he was four or five years ago. That's important."

Mason needed a new team, and a fresh start, because playing in Columbus had become a strain.

That said, Mason would like nothing more than to return to Columbus this season - that is, for the All-Star Game on Jan. 25.

"That's nothing that's crossed my mind, but it would be nice to go full circle," Mason said. "Philly is where I've kind of revived myself and learned to love the game again."

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