Mason hoping to help the Jets take the next step

WINNIPEG - It's all about the now.
While it didn't take long for the Winnipeg Jets to make a splash on the open market, doing so not only shored up a couple of key roles on the playing roster, they also made a statement to the fans and their peers in the process after a week of intense negotiation.
They're ready to take the next step.
Shortly after the gates (officially) opened at 11:00am central time, the Jets made the first of five announcements on the day, confirming that goaltender Steve Mason had signed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.1 million.

Mason, who had as many as five other teams inquire with him and his agent during the 'courting' period, said the decision to sign in Winnipeg was an easy one after speaking with General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff earlier this week.
"I'm really looking forward to coming back to Canada after being in the States to start my career, coming back to a Canadian city that obviously lost their franchise for a number of years and was able to get a team back. Just the passionate fan base that they have has made it real attractive," Mason said over the phone only minutes after the deal was announced.
The feeling was mutual.
The bottom line, Cheveldayoff said, was that they needed a guy to come in and help the Jets win right now.
That made the two-year term a good fit for both sides.

"I had a really good conversation with Chevy, Paul Maurice, Wade Flaherty, and we were very open about what we expected from each other and I think it is going to be a really good fit moving forward here. … When you look at the roster from top to bottom and you see the names that are on it, what this team is going to be capable of, I'm glad to be a part of it."
Mason added that the "intense" atmosphere inside Bell MTS Place was a major selling point, and that as a Canadian kid, being back on home soil was something he'd always dreamed about from the moment he entered the league.
"Winnipeg has always been a difficult spot for the opposition with how intense of an atmosphere it is," he said. "There are only a handful of arenas that are actually intimidating for players to come into. One being Philadelphia, and I've obviously experienced that, and Winnipeg is another. Coming out as the home team, you have the advantage.
"One of the best things about hockey is playing in front of sold-out crowds. Going to Winnipeg where you can count on a sold-out building every single night, having a passionate fan base that is going to back the team, you look at the roster and it's a great team already and I just hope I can be another piece of the puzzle."
Mason had a 26-21-8 record, along with a 2.66 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and three shutouts in 58 appearances last year. During the 2014-15 campaign, he tied a career high in wins with 33, and set new personal bests in both GAA (2.25) and save percentage (.928) over a full year.
Additionally, Mason won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie with the team that drafted him, the Columbus Blue Jackets, in 2008-09.
In his career, the Oakville, Ontario native has a 200-177-63 record and a .911 save percentage, putting him in the top half of active NHL goalies with a significant (>100 NHL games) body of work.
"I've been in the league for nine years now, and every year my game has grown," Mason said. "I believe at 29 years old I'm just entering the prime of my career and working with Wade, I think will help grow my game even more. I believe I can be an integral part to helping this team win hockey games. I can come up with big saves that can help us win on any given night."

Cheveldayoff agrees, but would not speculate about whether or not Mason will get the bulk of the work next year. Twenty-four-year-old Connor Hellebuyck is still very much in the plans, and will get every opportunity to succeed after an up-and-down rookie campaign.
"He had 26 wins last year and that's nothing to sneeze at," the GM said. "We've got tremendous depth and competition now at that position."
Mason and Hellebuyck will have to work together and push each other throughout the upcoming season as the Jets hope to improve their results between the pipes after finishing 28th in team save percentage with a .900 mark just last year.
"There's going to be a little bit of a feeling out phase, but that will come," Mason said.
"Having a good relationship with your goaltending partner is a must. (Hellebuyck) a good goaltender but he's had some challenges and, honestly, that's a good thing. When you come out of tough situations, it makes you better in the long run. I've gone through some of the same things that Connor may have experienced and I think I can help guide him through and come out the other side. My practice habits are solid and hopefully he can see that, maybe even follow suit, and help push each other."
- Ryan Dittrick, WinnipegJets.com