A Sophomore Jinx?

Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets won the Calder trophy as the best rookie in the NHL last season.  He finished second in the Vezina voting for best goaltender (behind Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins).  He looked like an NHL star in the making.  He was invited to the Canadian Olympic Team summer camp.  However, this season has not gone nearly as well so far.  Mason currently has a .882 saves percentage - which is the worst of any goalie who has been a clear number one with his team.  He has a 3.53 goals against average and six wins in 11 starts.  These are not the numbers of a future star. Last season, Mason did not have a consistent season.  He joined the Blue Jackets in early November.  For about six weeks in December and January he played some spectacular hockey.  This is a large part of what secured his awards.  By the end of January, Mason missed time with mononucleosis and did not look like the same goalie when he returned.  From the beginning of February to the end of the season, Mason posted a .899 saves percentage.  Given that he posted a .916 saves percentage over the whole season, this was a noticeable drop.