Chris Mason

Louis a place that he could call home though?  Current starting goalie Chris Mason is an unrestricted free-agent at the end of this season, and there has been no word from the Blues or Mason's agent if there are contract-extension discussions.  Ty Conklin is currently the back-up to Mason and has played well in the role.  His past in the starting position is not too impressive though, so it is apparent that the Blues may be looking in other areas for a starting goalie in 2010-11.  Management has hoped since drafting Ben Bishop in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft that he would be the answer for the future, but his inconsistent play on the Peoria Rivermen this year has raised many eyebrows as to if he could handle a NHL job.  The only times that Bishop has seen NHL action is when he would get an emergency call-up from the Blues, and even then he has allowed 12 goals against in six games.

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fs.  But that was then and this is now.

The biggest part of that run was goaltender Chris Mason.  After being acquired last summer to back-up reigning all-star Manny Legace, Mason took over the job in early February and held an outstanding 21-7-5 record through the rest of the season.  Mason has just one more year left on his contract, so he has to prove in 2009-10 that he deserves the starting job in St. Louis in order to be rewarded with a new contract.

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to an already tough Blackhawks offense, and Conklin gives the Blues a much-needed backup to starter Chris Mason.  Red Wings fans saw Conklin have some strong games last season when starter Chris Osgood was faltering or was not dressed due to injury or time off.  Now he has the opportunity to be doing that against his former club six games a season.

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r question on this muggy July day, can that really be considered a “splash?”

Chris Mason had one of the best finishes to his season that the Blues have seen in recent years.  The problem is that Mason is yet to see a season as the clear-cut number one man since wearing a Blues jersey.  The butterfly goaltender was brought in last summer to backup reigning all-star goalie Manny Legace.  While playing spot-starts and coming in for Manny at certain points, Chris started his season just 3-14-1.  He obviously came on strong at the end of the season finishing 27-21-7, but the Blues cannot rely on a mid-season comeback again.  Mason's only season as the starter took place in 2007-08 in Nashville, when he posted a 18-22-6 record with a 2.90 GAA and a .898 save percentage.  While these numbers are not horrid, they are not something that a quality starter should have.  The jury is out on whether or not Mason can play off of his strong performance late last season.

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Blues fans have been asking about a back-up goalie for starter Chris Mason.  Ask and ye shall receive.

The Blues got a fantastic run out of starter Chris Mason last season, as he was the driving force for the Blues' run to the playoffs.  The Blues sent former starter Manny Legace to Peoria of the AHL in February, which left the back-up role a question mark.  Until now.

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an gingerly skates back and allows Burrows a shooting lane.  Burrows put it between goaltender Chris Mason's legs as the celebration begun for the Canucks.  

In the first period of a game with no score, this may be a smart play for Jackman.  But in an overtime game where every shot matters, that puck needs to be picked up by Jackman, or there should not be a shot on goal for Burrows.  

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Louis has been the play of Chris Mason, who took over the number one job when Manny Legace was sent to Peoria in early February.  Since that time, the Blues have gone an uncanny 20-7-4, all the while with Mason starting every single game.  

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Louis, but Legace still covered his rebounds with relative ease.  Chris Mason is not a goalie known for his rebound control, and he has played the majority of the games in 2009.  Thus, a goalie that gives up more rebounds is certain to face more shots.

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as terrified opposing goaltenders night in and night out, the defense has stepped up their play and Chris Mason has been stellar between the pipes.  The most important reason for the success of this team has been the damaging team play.  Every line is finally clicking and every player is contributing in their own way.

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f what the Blues need to do to make a strong playoff attempt.  Most responded with thoughts on Chris Mason needing to be the absolute strongest player in the lineup and also with the goal-scoring being positively top-notch.  The biggest question mark I see with the Blues is their lackluster defense.  Yes, Mason will need to be strong, but every team that has ever had a chance of winning the Stanley Cup has always shown gritty and hard-nosed defense to their opponent.  Granted, the Blues have allowed just 28.7 shots per game against, which places them seventh in the league.  But the quality of those shots is what is troublesome for me to swallow.  Currently, Blues goaltending is being subjected to odd-man rushes and forwards are being forced to cover a roaming defenseman much too often.  It may just be the coaching system put in place by Andy Murray, which seems to always have one of our defenseman behind the opposing team’s net, leaving a forward covering back on the blue-line.  This kind of pressure in the offensive zone must stop in order for the Blues to make a playoff push.

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on ago, Manny will finish out his current contract in superstar mode for sure.

The team picked up Chris Mason as a back-up/split starter over the summer.  Mason had a bit of a rocky season in 2007-08, but hopes to rebound.  With only 18 wins, Mason was let go as the starter in Nashville for up-and-coming goaltender Dan Ellis.  As a back-up to Tomas Vokoun in 2006-07, Mason tallied a .925 save percentage and a 2.38 GAA.  Backing up Legace may be a better position for the 32-year old when looking at the numbers.

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rom other clubs. 

Blues’ goaltending looks stronger than it has been in years, adding Chris Mason as a backup to 2008 All-Star Manny Legace.  Mason finished last season with a .898 save percentage in 51 games played.  He tapered off a bit from his strong finish in 2006-07, posting a .925 save percentage in 40 games.  Mason was a backup to Tomas Vokoun that year, but could not hold it together as a starter for Nashville.  Joining the Blues is a perfect opportunity for Mason; he gets the backup role again to an All-Star goalie, and he can spot-start in case of injury anytime the Blues need him to.  Legace and Mason must be near unbeatable this season to ensure victories in the Blues’ future.

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