Nick Piccone
Steve Mason won’t be between the pipes for the Flyers at their home opener tonight, because he’s tending to a personal family matter according to GM Ron Hextall. We can only hope it’s not that serious, but missing a game for a personal family matter generally is. Best wishes to Mase.
This could explain his bad start in Florida on Saturday night. We likely won’t know until they decide to tell us – if they decide to tell us.
Michal Neuvirth will start in net tonight, with Jason LaBarbera being called up from the Phantoms to back him up.
UPDATE from Kyle Phillippi, PhillyInfluencer.com’s Flyers reporter:
The team was adamant about respecting Mason’s privacy. As Nick pointed out above, we won’t know until the team tells us. Ron Hextall and Dave Hakstol both preached privacy, saying they won’t answer any questions on the matter.
Whatever the matter is, it definitely doesn’t sound good from their tone and how tightly they’re holding onto the news. Hextall is unsure if he’ll be ready to go on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
I’d expect to hear something either tomorrow or Wednesday on what exactly is going on.