Welcome to the third installment of my Retrospective Scouting Report Series for the Flyers. In case you missed them, you can see part one (Couturier, Del Zotto, Gagner) here and part two (Giroux, Gudas, Lecavalier) here.
This week I’ll be looking at the goaltending tandem and the Flyers’ most popular defenseman, Andrew MacDonald. Buckle up.
Andrew MacDonald
Drafted: 160th overall, 2006 (New York Islanders)
Career stats: 19 goals, 86 assists, 105 points in 372 games
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Scouting reports:
From The Hockey News:
"Assets: Moves the puck out of the defensive zone efficiently. Is a poised defender with a good hockey brain who can log an awful lot of ice time. Smart and technically strong, he also has some offensive ability.Flaws: Is somewhat prone to injury. Also, he would be best served to start playing a more consistent game in the physicality department in order to maximize his shutdown acumen at the highest level.Career Potential: Veteran mobile defenseman."
From ESPN’s Corey Pronman’s Twitter:
"Very good skater, pretty smart player. I’m willing to accept he’s over played, but not a 3rd pair D."
Verdict: Andrew MacDonald takes a beating from Flyers fans and bloggers alike. I’d say it’s a 70/30 split on what’s justified and what’s hyperbolic, but one point stands: MacDonald does not play good enough hockey to justify his contract.
Let’s take a second to talk about that contract (and give ourselves heartburn in the process), because we’re talking about a player who went from making $575,000 in 2013-2014 to signing a 6-year, $30 million extension last April. That’s almost an 800% increase in pay, if you’re keeping track at home.
But, back to the scouting reports. MacDonald only played one full NHL season (2013-2014) so injuries/consistency is definitely an issue for him. Broad Street Hockey’s Kevin Christmann did an excellent write-up of MacDonald’s game last year that’s…actually kind of optimistic. On the contrary, Nick from Jewels From the Crown wrote a piece proving the Islanders were a better team when AMac wasn’t on the ice. So, yeah, there’s that.
Mar 25, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) stands on the ice during the national anthem before start of game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Blackhawks, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Mason
Drafted: 69th overall, 2006 (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Career NHL stats: 151-137-45 record, 2.71 GAA, .910 SV% in 351 games
Scouting reports:
From The Hockey News:
"Assets: His size and quick reflexes are indispensable assets. Displays big-game makeup. Positioning and poise can be his two biggest strengths in stopping the puck.Flaws: Has occasional lapses in focus. Must play with more consistency, and not let bad goals (or bad play in general) affect him in order to maximize his No. 1 goalie upside.Career Potential: Inconsistent but talented goaltender with upside."
From Hockey’s Future:
"Mason is a big goalie who plays sound positionally. He is a mature, confident and extremely poised goaltender, capable of making big saves at the key times in games. Mason has a strong work ethic, and thinks the game well. He’s got good lateral mobility, and plays the puck extremely well."
Verdict: We all know Steve Mason’s story. After winning the Calder following his rookie year with the Blue Jackets, his career seemingly went downhill fast. Was it a loss of focus? He got too arrogant? Locker room issues? Life in Columbus was not looking great for Mason when he was traded to Philadelphia in April 2013, where everything changed. Steve Mason is a No. 1 goaltender again, and I’m not sure anybody was expecting it. I guess that counts as a √ next to ‘inconsistent.’
Oh, and quick reflexes? That’s another checkmark.
Michal Neuvirth
Drafted: 34th overall, 2006 (Washington Capitals)
Career NHL stats: 66-63-17 record, 2.73 GAA, .912 SV% in 168 games
Scouting reports:
From The Hockey News:
"Assets: A quality butterfly goalie, he displays flashes of potential dominance in the crease. Is calm and patient in the net. His agility and fast reflexes are also big advantages, as is his recuperative ability.Flaws: Lacks consistency and is still a work in progress as he strives to earn a heavy workload at the NHL level. Can at times surrender ‘soft’ goals that hurt his team’s momentum.Career Potential: Talented netminder with upside. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports"
From Rock the Red:
"“All of the scouts say the same thing: he’s got great positioning, recovers well, is calm in his goal, and has a quick glove that can rob shooters if they mistake Neuvirth’s calmness for laziness.”"
From Hockey’s Future:
"Neuvirth is a butterfly goaltender and is technically sound while maintaining his positioning in classic, textbook style. He stays square to shooters and comes out to the top of his crease when appropriate to cut down the angle. His most remarkable on-ice trait is his incredible composure. Neuvirth almost never appears rattled or caught up in a moment of excitement. Whether the puck is in the zone or elsewhere on the ice, Neuvirth is extremely economical with his movement. Has been vulnerable early in games at times and has battled nagging leg injuries but is among the elite young goaltending prospects."
Verdict: Much like Gagner and Gudas, Neuvirth is another wait-and-see player. What’s reassuring is the reports don’t vary much: He’s incredibly composed, calm, and has great reflexes. Although Emery was serviceable during his second stint in Philadelphia, these qualities of Neuvirth’s will be a welcome and much-needed addition to the goaltending tandem. Mason and Neuvirth should be an absolute thrill to watch.
Next: Rewarded Contracts Will Lead to Success