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Winnipeg Jets Season Review: The Steve Mason Experiment

By Kyle McCarthy

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Steve Mason #35 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2018 in New York City. The Winnipeg Jets won 3-0. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Steve Mason #35 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2018 in New York City. The Winnipeg Jets won 3-0. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets overpaid for a backup goalie / mentor to youngster Connor Hellebuyck. They liked Hellebuyck and wanted him to snag the bulk of the playing time, but essentially picked a starter who could be overtaken.

The Winnipeg Jets signed Steve Mason to a two year, $8.2mm deal before the season. He was the starter. They hoped he would be the backup, or the 1B, to Connor Hellebuyck by the end of the season.

They got what they wanted, and, while I doubt they would trade the result, I bet they wished it happened a little differently.

Mason started the first two games of the season. He finished one. He allowed 11 goals in 65 shots. Good for an .830 save percentage, if you wanted to know. Not great, but it’s only two games.

Still, nobody wants to get blown out in their home opener and have their biggest free agency signing pulled in that same game. A bad start, if you will. He lost the starting job already.

Of course, Connor Hellebuyck was very good. He remained that way through the season. The Jets are happy about this, which is not news to you.

Mason then sustained a concussion in his eighth game (the team’s 23rd). Mason was out about a month, and Michael Hutchinson filled in as the team’s backup. I was always a fan of Hutch, and now he’s in hockey purgatory (Florida Panthers).

The second-closest NHL team to me, aside from Tampa, and I’ve never in my entire life met a Panthers fan. What a world.

Three more Mason games later, and bam, another concussion. I know he was traded and later freed of his time with the Montreal Canadiens, but I hope he’s okay. Two concussions that close together is scary. He’s still a free agent, Winnipeg. There’s still time (let him go, pls).

There was a lot of talk about Mason for having only played 13 games. For $4.1mm. He was ridiculously bad off the bat, and early season struggles stick with fans. They are so excited for the season and then, bam, a letdown. And Mason never was given a chance to improve upon that. From himself, from the team, from the injury gods.

Next: Winnipeg Jets Sign Laurent Brossoit

This is our first season review of a player no longer with the team. There’s no “looking forward for the Jets and _ _”. Well, hopefully. His UFA status means a lot is up in the air. But I’d bet against it. Nice knowing ya, Steve. All the best.

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