Reading Between the Lines on the Michal Neuvirth Deal

The Flyers goalie situation has been a topic seemingly since the start of the franchise.

Since Bernie Parent and the tragic passing of Pelle Lindbergh, the Flyers have struggled to find consistent net-minding, contributing to their playoff short comings.

Steve Mason turned aside 39 of 40 shots in Thursday's 2-1 shootout win over the Florida Panthers and stopped all 32 shots he faced in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Avalanche.

Overall he is 18-17-6 with a 2.78 goals-against-average and a .905 save percentage.

The Flyers have indicated he is not the answer.

Prior to Wednesday's NHL trade deadline, Mason's name was floated around, while his teammate Michal Neuvirth inked a two-year extension, worth $2.5 million per season. Still Flyers GM Ron Hextall urged not to read between the lines on the Neuvirth deal.

"That doesn't suggest we won't sign Mase, but just that the timing," Hextall said. "I wanted to get something done before the deadline."

Neuvirth has struggled with injuries throughout his NHL career, and is just 10-9-1 with a 2.90 GAA and a .887 save percentage this season.

"Those (contract) numbers dictate, you're not having a very good year," Flyers radio analyst Steve Coates said on The Sports Bash on Thursday. "You've been injured a lot, that's basically telling you this is what you're getting."

On the surface, when you read the tea leaves on this deal, it seems the Flyers like and feel comfortable with Neuvrith as the back-up and realized they could get him at a comfortable price, while Mason might be seeking a bigger contract, for similar output.