NHL Trade Speculation: Steve Mason's Five Possible New Homes

The bittersweet honeymoon between the Columbus Blue Jackets and goaltender Steve Mason may be coming to an end.

While the Blue Jackets are not openly shopping him, several teams are inquiring about his availability, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.

Since earning 33 wins and an eye popping 10 shutouts that sparked the Columbus Blue Jackets to their first ever playoff birth during his rookie season in 2008-2009, Mason has compiled a lackluster 35-39-11 record since.

Having surrendered 28 goals in his last eight starts, and in a year that has been disappointing all together, the Jackets may have incentive to move him if his return can help them in other places; namely, a puck moving defenseman or a top six center.

Despite an ugly 3.30 goals against average, there's likely to be a number of suitors for the 22 year old junior.

The Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 20: Goalie Craig Anderson #41 of the Colorado Avalanche puts on his mask as he defends the goal against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center on January 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

With the Colorado Avalanche reviving spotty goaltending from starter Craig Anderson and back-up Peter Budaj, they could be one of the top suitors for Steve Mason.

Both Avalanche goalies are unrestricted free agents going into the offseason, and both are knocking on age 30. By no means is that old, but considering almost all of the Avalanche's top players are in their early 20's, it's likely they'd prefer someone younger to fit into the team's youth movement.

If the Avalanche acquire Mason, it would be another move in a long series of reclamation projects they've acquired. Over the past two seasons Colorado has traded for forwards Peter Mueller, Tomas Fleischmann, and Daniel Winnik, as well as defenseman Ryan O'Byrne—all players who have secured roster spots with the Avalanche after falling out of favor with their previous clubs.

The New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 20: Goalie Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils takes a break during his shutout win in an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center on January 20, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Ber

Playing for a losing franchise at age 38, it's likely that Martin Brodeur's days are numbered. That doesn't mean he'll retire this offseason, but it would be illogical to think he has more than another season or two in him.

With no high end goalie prospects in the system, Steve Mason may be worth a gamble for the New Jersey Devils. Not only would he help lighten Brodeur's load better than Johan Hedberg has, but the Devils have historically played in a defensive system similar to the one Mason thrived in under Ken Hitchcock in 2008-2009.

The Ottawa Senators

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OTTAWA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Pascal Leclaire #33 of the Ottawa Senators defends his net during a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Place on November 11, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Two seasons ago, the Ottawa Senators acquired goaltender Pascal Leclaire from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and...well, it's been a disaster. Leclaire's record in Ottawa is 16-21-3, and he's only been able to start 13 games this season due to injury.

Be that as it may, the warning signs were there when the Senators acquired him. Leclaire was a 26 year old who in four full seasons with Columbus was only able to start 118 games due to injury. His last season in Columbus he had a 4-6-1 record, mirroring the 4-7-1 record he currently has in what will be his last season in Ottawa.

Bringing in Steve Mason will be a lot different. There are certainly inconsistency issues, but Mason (22) is much younger than Leclaire was, and he doesn't have the injuries issues, so there's a lot more upside. Additionally, Ottawa may be going into next season with a backup caliber goaltender (Brian Elliott) and a young prospect (Robin Lehner), which isn't a great situation for them.

The Tampa Bay Lightning

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 25: Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Pete Times Forum on January 25, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Leafs 2-0. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Dwayne Roloson has been a great acquisition by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Perhaps, a godsend. He sports an 8-3-1 record, and has four shutouts in only 11 starts. His goals against average (2.02) and save percentage (0.932) are in the elite range.

The only problem with Roloson is that he's 41 years old. He's aging like wine, so maybe he can stick around another two seasons, but the Lightning are going to have to start looking for a replacement sooner or later.

Steve Mason would give them a young backup who they could slowly work into the lineup and hope he'll be back to form by the time Roloson retires. Of all the failed goaltending projects the Lightning have embarked on since the lockout—John Grahame, Marc Denis, Johan Holmqvist, Mike Smith, Dan Ellis—they should go out and get someone who has a real chance of being a long term starter.

The Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Jonas Gustavsson #50 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the 5th goal scored by the St. Louis Blues during game action at the Air Canada Centre January 6, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending has been a mess all of post lockout.

Jonas Gustavsson has been a mess this season, J.S. Giguere is likely on his way out, and while rookie James Reimer has been solid in his rare appearances, it seems unlikely the Leafs will find success with a Reimer-Gustavsson tandem heading into next season.

Like Tampa Bay, the Leafs have gambled and lost with goaltenders the past six seasons. Ed Belfour, Andrew Raycroft, and Vesa Toskala each failed to provide adequate starting goaltending for the Leafs, despite the fact that all came with big price tags.

Considering how young the Leafs are, Steve Mason would be ideal in net. Again, he hasn't stood on his head this year, but at least he can be a building block between the pipes for them.

Taking a chance on a young goaltender with a lot of upside is different than what they've done in recent years, which was to overpay a goaltender who's better seasons were behind him.