WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 22: Goalie Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Philadelphia Flyers follows the puck in the third period of the Flyers 2-0 win over the Washington Capitals in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Flyers would trade Neuvirth or Mason if the “deal was right”

The Philadelphia Flyers received outstanding goaltending in 2015-16 as Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth were among the best tandems in the NHL. The duo led the league with a .934 even strength save percentage and were a big reason why the Flyers squeaked into the playoffs.

General manager Ron Hextall told Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer that while he’d like to keep both goaltenders in Philadelphia next season, he would be open to trading one of them if it ultimately improved the club.

“The old saying, ‘Wayne Gretzky got traded, right, so?’ I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘No, I wouldn’t trade anybody on our team,’ because the reality of it is, if the deal was right it’s my job to strengthen our team and the organization,” Hextall told reporters at the Flyers training facility.

Hextall added that dealing one of the goalies was “not something we’re focusing on or looking to do.”

The Flyers certainly have a dilemma with two potential starting goalies. Mason has been great since joining the Flyers in 2012-13, but after laying an egg in the playoffs, his ‘backup’ Neuvirth stole the show, almost leading the team in a comeback against the Capitals.

A decision on the goalies might be forced due to the salary cap. The Flyers don’t have a ton of flexibility going forward and Mason, who’s arguably the weaker of the two netminders, is making $4.1 million while Neuvirth is making just over $1.6 million. Both are free agents at the end of the season. If the Flyers think Neuvirth is their guy, Hextall can clear a decent amount of room and get a good return on Mason.

If it’s possible, Philly probably will keep both guys around. The duo were great together last year, so why break that up unless you have to?

[Sportsnet]

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com

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