Steve Mason hasn’t been the answer the Winnipeg Jets were searching for. Luckily Connor Hellebuyck has. Mason hasn’t even been playing up to the skill of a backup, therefore hasn’t seen too many starts. This isn’t good, in fact it’s really bad. With Hellebuyck taking almost every start, he could eventually get worn down, which would lead to an early exit for Winnipeg.
Ever since the Edmonton Oilers expressed interest in Michael Hutchinson, there has literally been no talk about him being traded. Maybe because Edmonton just lost interest after Cam Talbot returned, and acquired Al Montoya. Another theory I really believe in is that Kevin Cheveldayoff disconnected trade talks. With Mason not playing a stable backup game, I think it could be in the Jets best interest to try Michael Hutchinson out. Maybe sending Mason down on a ‘conditioning stint” and calling Hutch up as the replacement could be a good test. It could be what Mason needs to wake up, or could get Michael Hutchinson back in the NHL.
Hutchinson needs to be able to take starts
One of the Winnipeg Jets main problems with Steve Mason right now is that we can’t trust him to take starts. Like I said earlier, that’s bad for Hellebuyck, because eventually he will get worn out. Hellebuyck’s still young, and has literally no playoff experience. Someone needs to take the load off before the playoffs start, and it’s not going to be Mason.
He needs a final chance
Sure, Hutchinson had a poor season last year. I think we were a little bit quick to give up on him. He’s been the best goalie on the Moose by a longshot, but has remained as the second call up option due to waiver eligibility. Looking at Mason’s level of play and his contract, there is not a chance he will get claimed off waivers. The issue is if we want to return Hutch to the AHL. He’ll have a good chance of being picked up.
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Playoffs are approaching faster and faster as we speak. It’s time to turn the tables and utilize Hutchinson. Maybe a bit of time in the AHL could wake Mason up too. If we can’t figure our issues out soon, excluding Vegas of course, we’ll continue being the only team to have never won a playoff game.