Flyers' Mason ready for possible lengthy rebuild: 'I'm excited for the future'
The Philadelphia Flyers aren't looking for the quick fix, and neither is Steve Mason.
Philadelphia is awash in uncertainty after missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. General manager Ron Hextall has emphasized patience in his rebuilding plan, which will focus on drafting and developing prospects rather than signing big-money free agents.
A protracted timeline could lead to the departure of some of Philadelphia's best players, who are already in their prime and likely to be over-the-hill once the Flyers are competitive again. If Mason is considered to be one of those players, no one has yet told him.
"Well, I don't think I've hit my prime yet," the 27-year-old netminder told Randy Miller of NJ.com. "I still think I'm going to get a lot better. If we have to wait a couple years for these guys to be here full-time, I don't plan on going anywhere. I'm excited for the future for sure because we know what's coming."
The Flyers have a host of prospects on defense in Samuel Morin, Shayne Gostisbehere, Travis Sanheim and Robert Hagg, some of whom are expected to make the roster next season. A general roster shake-up is expected, but Mason knows it isn't his job to be concerned with how the team will look in the fall.
"Anytime you don't make the playoffs, things happen," Mason said. "But that's Hexy's department and we'll see what happens come summertime."