Edmonton Journal Breaking News Jan 9, 2016
Jan 9, 2016 21:44:23 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 4 more like this
Post by Paul on Jan 9, 2016 21:44:23 GMT -5
iOilers acknowledge Steve Mason trade rumors are true
Saturday, 9 January 2016 1015AM
Addressing recent online rumors, iEdmonton GM Paul Pearson met with reporters today before the team's morning practice.
"Considering the talent level within the organIzation, as well as the current level of play and the team's potential playoff position, the iEdmonton Oilers franchise has decided to confirm goalie Steve Mason is available and will immediately open trade discussions with a number of iNHL teams who have expressed interest in acquiring our starting goaltender," Pearson explained."Steve Mason has carried our team this season and it is heart-breaking to even consider trading him, but certain variables necessitate pursuing a potential trade."
Pearson did add a disclaimer, however, pointing out Mason's current contract situation, $4.1M/season with a $4.1M cap hit until the end of the 2016-2017 season, and Mason's All-Star level of play does not necessitate a trade if the right trade scenario does not present itself.
"Must we trade Steve? No.", Pearson explained, "nor has he requested one. Steve Mason is the consummate professional and will play at the highest level no matter what the logo on the front of the sweater is," Pearson finished.
Mason's statistics so far this season would seem to confirm this statement. The iOilers goaltender is currently sporting a 16-8 record with 4 shutouts. He's leading the iNHL with a .933 save percentage and second in the league with a 2.14 goals against average.
"What's crazy," Pearson went on, "is he's played even better on the road." Again, the statistics would seem to back this up too. Mason has a 1.66 GAA away from Rexall Place and a .947 S%. "Whoever ends up with Steve Mason before the deadline is getting one hell of a goaltender. He's having the type of season which wins hardware, and possibly a Cup.
"Mason's iNHL positional rating of 17, as well as his reflexes rating of 17 and his determination rating of 18 indicate Steve's season is going to continue. Those ratings are solid. He's a world-class goalie playing really well right now," Pearson concluded.
Tall statements from a team in the playoff race themselves, but it has widely been considered by many within the iNHL, not to mention whispered in the locker rooms around the league, the iOilers have been overachieving in this, their first season in the iNHL. Trading Mason, while monumentally painful, could bring a much-needed return of prospects, especially on right wing and on right defense, where the iOilers are thin. Not to mention the 1st and/or possibly 2nd round picks Pearson is supposedly asking for in return leading up to a deep 2016 draft. Still, the decision does have more than a few folks in the iNHL left scratching their heads.
"Yeah, I understand those concerns, I do," Pearson admitted. "But we've made moves this year which we think could potentially solidify the goaltending here in iEdmonton for the next decade. Hell, we'll let someone else win the Cup this year, because we hope to be hoisting the Cup more than once in the next few years!," he laughed.
"I readily acknowledge we are potentially trading 'Mase' at a time when his value is at its highest," Pearson went on. "But I will continue to do what I think is best for the entire organization and that includes acquiring draft picks as well as increasing our talent level in areas which are a little exposed right now. GM's in this league are smart. I guarantee every one of them would be doing the exact same thing."
"We'd love to get back some combination of 2016 1st and/or 2nd round draft picks, as well as a 4-star or better prospect or two on the right side of the ice, but that doesn't mean we won't listen to all offers presented. I understand how this works, I'm not unreasonable, or asking for a ridiculous overpayment, just fair-market value for a player having an excellent season. He's playing well enough he could win you a game, a series, or even a Cup," the iOilers GM smiled.
The fact there aren't many goaltenders of this quality available in the league, as well as a 2016 draft in which the goaltending talent is average to above-average at best, seems to reinforce Pearson's logic.
"There are some really good teams fighting for playoff spots right now, including a few teams in the Eastern Conference who are only a point or two out as we speak. Mason would immediately provide a couple of teams with a significant upgrade in goaltending", Pearson added. "Hopefully they recognize this opportunity for what it is and give us a call. He's a game-changer. Literally."
All indications are trade talks, not to mention all the crazy trade rumors, could get very interesting leading up to the March 1st, 2016, iNHL trade deadline.
--Edmonton Journal staff report
Saturday, 9 January 2016 1015AM
Addressing recent online rumors, iEdmonton GM Paul Pearson met with reporters today before the team's morning practice.
"Considering the talent level within the organIzation, as well as the current level of play and the team's potential playoff position, the iEdmonton Oilers franchise has decided to confirm goalie Steve Mason is available and will immediately open trade discussions with a number of iNHL teams who have expressed interest in acquiring our starting goaltender," Pearson explained."Steve Mason has carried our team this season and it is heart-breaking to even consider trading him, but certain variables necessitate pursuing a potential trade."
Pearson did add a disclaimer, however, pointing out Mason's current contract situation, $4.1M/season with a $4.1M cap hit until the end of the 2016-2017 season, and Mason's All-Star level of play does not necessitate a trade if the right trade scenario does not present itself.
"Must we trade Steve? No.", Pearson explained, "nor has he requested one. Steve Mason is the consummate professional and will play at the highest level no matter what the logo on the front of the sweater is," Pearson finished.
Mason's statistics so far this season would seem to confirm this statement. The iOilers goaltender is currently sporting a 16-8 record with 4 shutouts. He's leading the iNHL with a .933 save percentage and second in the league with a 2.14 goals against average.
"What's crazy," Pearson went on, "is he's played even better on the road." Again, the statistics would seem to back this up too. Mason has a 1.66 GAA away from Rexall Place and a .947 S%. "Whoever ends up with Steve Mason before the deadline is getting one hell of a goaltender. He's having the type of season which wins hardware, and possibly a Cup.
"Mason's iNHL positional rating of 17, as well as his reflexes rating of 17 and his determination rating of 18 indicate Steve's season is going to continue. Those ratings are solid. He's a world-class goalie playing really well right now," Pearson concluded.
Tall statements from a team in the playoff race themselves, but it has widely been considered by many within the iNHL, not to mention whispered in the locker rooms around the league, the iOilers have been overachieving in this, their first season in the iNHL. Trading Mason, while monumentally painful, could bring a much-needed return of prospects, especially on right wing and on right defense, where the iOilers are thin. Not to mention the 1st and/or possibly 2nd round picks Pearson is supposedly asking for in return leading up to a deep 2016 draft. Still, the decision does have more than a few folks in the iNHL left scratching their heads.
"Yeah, I understand those concerns, I do," Pearson admitted. "But we've made moves this year which we think could potentially solidify the goaltending here in iEdmonton for the next decade. Hell, we'll let someone else win the Cup this year, because we hope to be hoisting the Cup more than once in the next few years!," he laughed.
"I readily acknowledge we are potentially trading 'Mase' at a time when his value is at its highest," Pearson went on. "But I will continue to do what I think is best for the entire organization and that includes acquiring draft picks as well as increasing our talent level in areas which are a little exposed right now. GM's in this league are smart. I guarantee every one of them would be doing the exact same thing."
"We'd love to get back some combination of 2016 1st and/or 2nd round draft picks, as well as a 4-star or better prospect or two on the right side of the ice, but that doesn't mean we won't listen to all offers presented. I understand how this works, I'm not unreasonable, or asking for a ridiculous overpayment, just fair-market value for a player having an excellent season. He's playing well enough he could win you a game, a series, or even a Cup," the iOilers GM smiled.
The fact there aren't many goaltenders of this quality available in the league, as well as a 2016 draft in which the goaltending talent is average to above-average at best, seems to reinforce Pearson's logic.
"There are some really good teams fighting for playoff spots right now, including a few teams in the Eastern Conference who are only a point or two out as we speak. Mason would immediately provide a couple of teams with a significant upgrade in goaltending", Pearson added. "Hopefully they recognize this opportunity for what it is and give us a call. He's a game-changer. Literally."
All indications are trade talks, not to mention all the crazy trade rumors, could get very interesting leading up to the March 1st, 2016, iNHL trade deadline.
--Edmonton Journal staff report