Welcome once again to another edition of Between the Pipes, a look at Philadelphia Flyers hockey and the NHL through linkage.
The hockey season begins in just one day and the Flyers will hit the ice in two days. So this is the final stretch without meaningful hockey for the next few months.
Here are a few stories around the NHL.
Brian Boucher joining NBC Sports as full-time analyst – [NBC Sports]
Former Flyers goalie and current analyst Brian Boucher is latching onto the NBC Sports team full-time. Boucher, who served as a studio analyst for CSN Philly during parts of last season, debuted with NBC Sports during the playoffs last season. Boucher will serve as an ice-level analyst and studio analyst for NHL Live on NHL Network. Boucher also commented on Twitter, saying that he will continue to do studio work for CSN Philly this season as well.
Steve Mason's numbers demand respect from the league – [Sam Carchidi – Philadelphia Inquirer]
Steve Mason finished the 2014-15 season with a 2.25 GAA — good enough for sixth in the league — and a .928 save percentage — third in the league — and yet received almost no recognition. Mason's numbers have him joining the discussion of elite goalies in the NHL, which is certainly well deserved given how he has carried the Flyers through last season and kept them in the playoff discussion. Mason has also entered camp following a new summer workout regime and in the best shape of his career, which has him on track to at least repeat his success from the previous season.
Jaromir Jagr is bringing back the mullet – [Randy Miller – NJ.com]
Former Flyer Jaromir Jagr is going throwback. At age 43, Jagr is still going strong as a member of the Florida Panthers, a team the Flyers will see twice in the first three games of the season. Everyone remembers the look that made Jagr a household name. In addition to his immense talent, Jagr had long locks that made him the most identifiable player on the ice. After playing ribbing from teammates, Jagr said "he has to" bring back that famous look from yesteryear. It should be fun to watch the progress during the season.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
