Flyers' Mason ready for fatherhood, big season
By Sam Carchidi STAFF WRITER Goalie Steve Mason looked sharp during the first day of the Flyers' camp Friday in Voorhees, showing the benefits of his summer training schedule.
By Sam Carchidi
STAFF WRITER
Goalie Steve Mason looked sharp during the first day of the Flyers' camp Friday in Voorhees, showing the benefits of his summer training schedule.
He also is in a good place, mentally. Impending fatherhood agrees with him. Mason and his fiance, Brittany, are expecting their first child, a girl, in the next week or so.
"We're very excited; we can't wait," Mason said.
On the ice, Mason was difficult to beat during drills and he made several acrobatic saves.
"I felt like I was reading plays well out there; my body feels good," Mason said. "I just feel like I have a real fresh mind-set this year. Today was the first of many practices to come, but it was a good start."
Mason and Michal Neuvirth - who played for the Czech Republic in the World Cup and is expected to join camp next week - figure to have a spirited camp competition for the top goalie position. Both are 28, in their primes, and could become unrestricted free agents in July.
General manager Ron Hextall and coach Dave Hakstol said they feel they have two No. 1 goalies. But one figures to get a majority of the starts.
"We're both going to push each other," said Mason, whose late-season surge carried the Flyers to a 2016 playoff berth. "At the end of the day, Michal's got his job and I've got mine to do. What matters is that when I'm in the net, I have to be the best I can be. Quite frankly, that's what I'm going to be focusing on this year."
Mason went 23-19-10 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .918 save percentage last season. His downfall: an .822 save percentage on the Flyers' lowly penalty kill.
Neuvirth was 18-8-4 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. He was sensational after replacing Mason in the playoffs, stopping 103 of 105 shots in three games against Washington, giving him a ridiculous .981 save percentage.
"It doesn't matter who's in the net. We know we're going to get a No. 1 performance from either one of the guys," winger Wayne Simmonds said. "It's up to us to put in some goals in front of them and obviously play strong defensively as a team unit. We know those guys will have our back no matter what."
Simmonds was one of the few Flyers forwards who was productive last season, leading the team with a career-high 32 goals. The Flyers finished 22d in the NHL, averaging 2.57 goals per game.
The 28-year-old right winger believes the scoring will pick up because of the younger players' development.
"It's evolution," he said. "I think as some of the young guys get their bearings and find their way in the league, they'll be a little more confident, which should lead to more scoring. It's up to us as leaders on the team to continue doing what we're doing and help the young guys out, make it so everybody is on the same page."
The Flyers need more scoring from players like Scott Laughton, Nick Cousins and Matt Read _ assuming they earn roster spots _ and a bounce-back year from Jake Voracek, who had only 11 goals last season, including just one on the power play.
The wildcard is 19-year-old Travis Konecny, a speedy and creative right winger who is trying to make the team after collecting 30 goals and 101 points in 60 Ontario Hockey League games in 2015-16.
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