St Louis Blues: Top 30 Goaltenders in Franchise History

Feb 25, 2012; Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Winnipeg Jets goalie Chris Mason (50) during their game against the St Louis Blues at the MTS Centre. The Blues beat the Jets 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

11. Chris Mason

2008-10; 118 games, 57-43-15 record, .915 save percentage, 2.47 GAA, 8 shutouts; 4 postseason games, 0-4 record

Mason’s stay in St. Louis was relatively brief, lasting just two seasons, and he wasn’t dominant at any point, but he was an excellent stopgap in net as the franchise built itself back into a perennial playoff contender. He joined the team as competition for incumbent starter Manny Legace after being acquired from the Nashville Predators in 2008, and he quickly established himself as a reliable starter.

During the 2008-09 season, Mason had the best year of his career, going 27-21-7 while accumulating a .913 save percentage, a 2.41 GAA, and a career-best six shutouts. Unfortunately, he was in net as the Blues sustained a four-game series sweep to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of that year’s postseason, but his numbers weren’t exactly terrible, as he had a 2.34 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. Instead, he was the victim of an anemic Blues offense that scored just five goals in four games against Vancouver.

Mason was solid but less of a force during his final season in St. Louis, starting 61 games and earning a 30-22-8 record with a 2.53 GAA, a .913 save percentage, and two shutouts. The St Louis Blues didn’t make the postseason that year, and Mason was allowed to leave as a free agent during the offseason, as the team acquired Jaroslav Halak in hopes that he’d push them over the top as a playoff force.

All in all, though, Mason was compromised by a team that lacked consistent offense, and if he had had more talent in front of him, he likely would have been more appreciated.

Next: 10. Brent Johnson