Steve Mason

Doosh27 · Minors Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 165

Is there anyway that Steve Mason doesn't win the Calder this season. This kid has been amazing. He has almost single handily got the Jackets into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

he'll absolutely take the Calder. I don't see anyone else that's even comparable. my only issue with Steve Mason is that the Blue Jackets play a naturally defensive game... How much is it him being a future all-star, and how much is it him just doing his job with an excellent system in front of him? I honestly don't have the answer to that question, until I do, I can't be sold one way or another.

Also, expect the Blue Jackets to only get stronger from this season on. This is an organization that's been built on a solid foundation, disciplined and not foolhardy. They had an excellent plan, and they stuck to it. It took seemingly forever, but their slow and steady growth won't go anywhere as long as they stick to their outline.
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Because it hurts so good.

Doosh27 · Minors Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 165

Mason stops 39 of 42 in regulation. Then all 3 in the shoot out. Jackets win again 4-3 over pittsburgh

itechwarrior · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

Slinky,

If it was the system, all the other goalies that played for them would also be great. He's an amazing kid star goalie. Smile

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:19 pm Post subject:

There's definitely no denying that Steve Mason is the main reason they are where they are. 9 shutouts and some of those on a high volume of quality shots? You can't say that's just the D in front of him.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

guys, don't get me wrong. There's no question he's a great netminder and has some amazing talent. he completely deserves the calder.

i want to know if he's an excellent young goalie like Miller and Lundqvist, or heir to the lines of Brodeur, Roy and Luongo. I don't think we can answer that question yet.
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Because it hurts so good.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject:

texasgoalie08 · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I heard them compare Mason to Barrasso(in his prime). Mason is a big goalie, has excellent technique stopping the puck and is like a 3rd defensemen the way he handles the puck. I think that if he stays healthy and doesn't get burned out, he could be in the "upper echelon" of goalies.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

that's what i mean. I have no doubt he'll be in the Ryan Miller camp (seriously under-rated goalie), and probably a Marty Turco or Eddy Belfour. I'm not ready to declare him the second coming of Roy/Brody just yet though.

How many great rookie seasons have we seen fall apart in years 2 and 3? Raycroft and Toivonen in Boston (though Boston treats their young goalies like Neyo treats Rihanna - BUH-DUP-CH!) Ray Emery in Ottawa. Theodore was great pre-lockout... now he's Washington's achilles heel.... so.

When Mason continues his success for a few more seasons, then I'll be sold. Of course, being on the east coast, I don't get to see him play more than once or twice a year right now. Maybe I'll be swayed if/when I get to watch him in the playoffs. 2 points seperates 6 teams in the west. The playoffs have already started. I'm starting to shake from excitement just thinking about it.
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Because it hurts so good.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject:

I'm really hoping he gets stronger over the years. Hopefully he has the ability to do so and doesn't just become another burnt out former all-star rookie.

I just looked, the 7-12 place teams in the west...2 point seperation. That's crazy. Tough conference.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

it's an insanely tough conference. The worst team in the west would be a head of 2 or 3 teams in the east, depending on the night.. I can't wait to see the Wings at the bottom of that conference too. Smile

back to Steve Mason, possibly the best save call I've heard, "Chara STONED by the Free Mason, Steve Mason." There's multiple levels of literary devices, going into what could've have been simply "Huge glove save." There is no part of this sport that I don't love.
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Because it hurts so good.

texasgoalie08 · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:04 am Post subject:

puckstopper135 · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:52 am Post subject:

I'm with Slinky on this one. Not ready to call Mason the next Roy/Brodeur or even Luongo... but I'd say he'll be up near the top soon.

I find I'd probably group Mason and Price together. Both relatively young, and had amazing seasons. Price, not so much this year after his injury... but last year once he took over, he started to prove himself. Kinda like what Mason is doing.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

yeah... both got some great talent. Price needs to mature more... but i can't watch him with out being amazed by his hands. He has some of the best hands i've seen on a goalie.

i think Mason is luckier than Price in that he's in Columbus... not Montreal. I couldn't imagine playing in that kind of pressure and atmosphere. Goaltending is possibly the only position in sports where a single mistake a tenth of a second can mean everything... and do that in Montreal... I would have to think that'd take all the fun out of it.
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Because it hurts so good.

puckstopper135 · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:27 am Post subject:

I think it'd be easiest playing for Toronto. Their fans:

A) don't know hockey
B) realize how much their team sucks so they get used to it after a while

Laughing