Columbus has a giant problem on their hands—how can they justify the three million dollar-a-year contract they just gave goaltender Pascal Leclaire this offseason?

Leclaire, coming off a career year last season, recorded nine shut-outs as well as garnering 24 wins.

This season, Leclaire has come down to Earth again. While battling through injuries, Leclaire has a four-win and six-loss record with a save percentage of .867 and a goals-against-average of 3.83—not real reassuring for the Jackets I would say.

Insert world junior champion Steve Mason.

In 20 starts this year, he has five shutouts along with twelve wins. Mason leads the NHL in shut-outs, save percentage, and goals-against-average as well. The Blue Jackets thought they had a gold mine in Mason from day one. They just did not expect it to be this soon.

Mason, along with the rest of the Columbus Blue Jackets, have, without question, their best chance of making their first playoff run in the team’s history.

With players like Rick Nash, Jakub Vorachek, Kris Russell, Mason, Rotislav Klesla, Jared Boll, and Derick Brassard, this team could be great for many years to come.

It would be a safe bet to assume that as Steve Mason goes, so will the Jackets. Look for Columbus to make it to the playoffs this year.

And Mason to be Rookie of the Year in the NHL.