Neuvirth extension a curious move by Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers appear comfortable with their goaltending, but it isn't clear why.
On Wednesday, the Flyers announced they're bringing back Michal Neuvirth, signing the veteran netminder to a two-year contract, with a pay raise to boot. But it's difficult to see how the new deal is a reward for performance.
Neuvirth owns the league's worst save percentage, a lowly .887, while playing for a club that's been middle of the pack for much of the season. By comparison, fellow Philadelphia netminder Steve Mason has a .903 save rate - not spectacular by any stretch, but closer to the mean.
Still, the 28-year-old will see his salary jump to $2.5 million next season, after taking in a more affordable $1.75 million this year.
Neuvirth and Mason were both set to become free agents this summer, and with Philadelphia's goaltending once again in need of repair, the Flyers had an opportunity to enter the offseason with a clean slate between the pipes.
But in bringing back Neuvirth, they may limit their offseason flexibility. Does it make sense for the Flyers to pursue a big-ticket addition, like Ben Bishop, a pending unrestricted free agent, with a goalie already signed to such a hefty deal?
Philadelphia has high hopes for young goaltender Anthony Stolarz, but it'd be premature to rely on him. He had two starts with the Flyers this season, plus 78 games over his AHL career since finishing junior three years ago. Stolarz's day is coming, but not in time for the 2017-18 campaign.
Still, Stolarz will require protection from the Vegas expansion draft, given his two years of pro experience. Like all clubs, the Flyers must expose one under-contract goalie in the expansion pool, and the odds are they'll protect the up-and-coming netminder.
That's where Neuvirth's new deal could come into play, but that leaves the multiple years of the extension and the raise unexplained, particularly when a handful of cheap goalies are available for expansion purposes.
Case in point: The Calgary Flames signed career minor leaguer Tom McCollum to fulfill the expansion draft requirements. McCollum is a product of the Detroit Red Wings' system, never suiting up for a Flames affiliate prior to this year.
In the end, Philadelphia appears to see Neuvirth as part of their goaltending future, likely splitting a tandem role next season. That arrangement hasn't worked out this season with Mason, so the decision to repeat it next year is a curious move at best.