On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Jordan Hall of CSN Philly: Jakub Voracek knows what could happen if the Flyers struggle again next season.
“We’re in our prime years,” Voracek said. “We’ve got to make sure that we step up our game and get this team to the playoffs and start winning some series because if we don’t, it’s going to get blown up and we all know it.”
The Flyers have missed the playoffs in three of the past five years and haven’t won a playoff series since 2011-12.
Tim Dougherty of CSN Philly: Flyers goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz suffered a serious lower-body injury last week and is done for the season. They signed Michal Neuvirth to a contract extension earlier this season, so they’ll have to decide whether to protect Neuvirth or Stolarz for the expansion draft.
Flyers GM Ron Hextall and goalie Steve Mason didn’t shut the door on Mason possibly being back next year. Mason did say that he doesn’t want to return in a platoon role. Mason said he’d be open to mentoring Stolarz if asked.
Mason is likely gone but there is the slim chance that Hextall brings Mason back as their No. 1 goalie.
Forward prospect Oskar Lindblom will be leaving Sweden and coming over to North America for next year.
Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post: Steve Mason last week on goalies platooning in the NHL.
“It doesn’t work. It’s shown throughout the league that it doesn’t work,” Mason said. “Tampa got rid of their situation (with Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasilevskiy). St. Louis got rid of their situation (with Jake Allen and Brian Elliott). It’s got nothing to do with Neuvy and I as people. I’ve got no issue with Neuvy. It just doesn’t work for the goaltending position.”
Mason on Hextall telling him they are not closing the door on having him back next season.
“Whatever those things are I’m not aware of, but we’ll see what happens,” Mason said. “I just told Hexy to do me the favor of making the call as soon as possible because I have other things that I have to take care of in terms of a house and moving things from here. He said he’d be in contact with my agent when they figure their stuff out.”