Steve Mason’s agent is seeking a new deal
– The Flyers goaltender Steve Mason may be having a big pay raise come the end of the season. According to CBS Sports, Brian Stubits the Flyers will have to make serious decision about their goaltender. Mason who had a decent season last year in the lockout shortened season with a 1.5 million salary per season. This year’s performance combined to last year are making up for the ones he had in Columbus in his two years with the Blue Jackets. This year he has compiled a .929 save percentage and 2.26 goals against average. Frankly as Stubits put it: “He’s been the best Flyer this season.” He mentioned that Mason’s agent Anton Thun could be looking into the 6 million dollar range similar to what Carey Price is earning with the Montreal Canadiens. Holmgren may have started the negotiations with Thun but the fact remains to see if Mason will continue on the same level he has been this year. Mason could become the goaltender the Flyers have been searching for years. But the Flyers may look as well towards players such as Ryan Miller or Jonas Hiller.
Del Zotto trade rumors to cool down
With the recent injury of Marc Staal to possibly another concussion, the Rangers are not taking any chances. Marc Staal missed the first half of the 2011-2012 season because of a concussion and this injury is played on careful side. Right now, the symptoms are neck stiffness and the Rangers are trying to determine if it is due to concussion. Following the injury, Staal was replaced in the lineup by Michael Del Zotto. Del Zotto who sat 6 games so far this season is likely to play on the same pair of defensemen Stall was on. This may reignite Del Zotto which will likely cool down the trade rumors about him. The Rangers offered him to several teams but the price for his services is high and teams were not prepared to pay what the Rangers were asking for.
Editor’s Note: If Staal’s injury is minor and returns fairly quickly expect the rumors to restart as it seems Del Zotto is not part of Alain Vigneault’s plan.
Bouchard placed on waivers
The New York Islanders have placed winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard on waivers Monday. The 29-year-old Bouchard signed a one-year, $2 million contract in the offseason and has scored just four goals and five assists in 29 games this season. Bouchard was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round (8th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has a considerable history of concussions and has been plagued with many other injuries throughout his career. The move is believed to make room for AHL scoring leader Ryan Strome to be added into the Islanders’ lineup. Teams have until noon on Tuesday to put in a claim on Bouchard.
