Philadelphia, PA

Steve Mason says he is prepared to win the No. 1 goalie spot with the Philadelphia Flyers regardless of veteran Ilya Bryzgalov's status with the team.

He has been elevated to the top spot after the Flyers bought Bryzgalov out from the $34.5 million remaining on his nine-year deal.

Mason, 25, was rookie of the year with Columbus Blue Jackets five seasons ago, but he struggled in his next three-plus seasons. He seemed to revive his career in a brief late-season stint with the Flyers.

"Ideally, we'd be able to get a guy that would work in tandem with him, but the bulk [would go] onto Steve. We'll see how it goes," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, who noted that Mason has a lot of experience for his age.

Meanwhile, Bryzgalov thanked Flyers chairman Ed Snider for his family's "secure financial future".

Bryzgalov was originally signed to a nine-year, $51 million contract prior to the start of the 2011-12 season. The Flyers will have to pay Bryzgalov two-thirds of the balance owed on his remaining term, or $23 million, but will have twice as long to pay it off.

 

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Goalie Steve Mason Ready to Start for Flyers