Holmgren discusses waiving of Leighton
Daily News Flyers blog
Holmgren discusses waiving of Leighton
The Flyers have waived goaltender Michael Leighton, general manager Paul Holmgren announced.
Leighton, one of the heroes of the Flyers’ run to the Stanley Cup finals last spring, played in only one game for the Flyers this season. He allowed four goals and stopped 30 shots in a 7-4 win over the Kings last week.
"I'm happy to get in and get a win," Leighton said after the game. "I'm not happy with the way that I played, but I am happy with a win."
Leighton signed a 2-year, $3.1 million contract extension on the eve of free agency but had a herniated disk in his back surgically repaired on Oct. 11 and first returned to practice on Nov. 20 before completing two rehab stints with the Phantoms in early December.
Holmgren talked to the media today about waiving Leighton.
"We thought about it the last few days. At the end of the day, I think that this is a move that is in the best interest of the Flyers and the best interest of Michael Leighton," Holmgren said. "We need to get him playing at a higher level. More than anything, he is probably still in training-camp mode."
Holmgren was asked if Leighton was waived based on the Kings' game. "We probably all believed he'd be a little rusty," Holmgren said. "This is more to do with how the other guys have played. At the end of the day, it's best for the organization."
On interest in Leighton around the league?
"I'd be very disappointed if he were claimed, because that means we'd be losing a goalie for nothing," Holmgren said.
Holmgren was asked about the risk of losing Leighton, if he clears, on re-entry waivers for half price?
"I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Holmgren said. "We will look at other teams and their injuries and goaltending issues. There is always risk involved."
Is there a trade possibility for Leighton? "We talked around. There was nothing there."
Was the excellent play of Brian Boucher making this decision a difficult one?
"Brian's played extremely well," Holmgren said. "Really, he's carried over to this year the way he finished last year. He's had a great attitude. He's been the consummate pro. We're hoping that he can continue to play at the level he's at and that will continue to allow Sergei [Bobrovsky] to develop. This will continue to let everyone work on their game."
Upon his return, Leighton acknowledged that he is still not 100 percent while experiencing foot numbness stemming from the nerve in his back. He also conceded that he did not expect to be 100 percent at any point this season but thought he could work around that.
He was 17-9-2 in the regular season last year and 8-3 in the playoffs with a .916 save percentage and 2.46 goals-against average.
The decision means the Flyers will move forward with Boucher, who has been getting the bulk of the work recently, and rookie Sergei Bobrovsky, who has struggled recently after a hot start.
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Good luck Michael, thanks for the run last year.
I hate to say it but the thing I will remember is the soft goal in game six the ended the Stanley Cup.— seeker58- people need to get serious. we aren't making room for us to get iginla. we have barely any cap space and we arent going to trade them the pieces they would want from us (which would be all young players). this was strictly a move related to having 3 netminders and Bob not getting in any work. the issue is i dont see anyone claiming leighton, especially with a guy like nabakov out there and vokun as trade bait— jsavino
- Yikes. His injury must be bad. For everyone who bashes Leighton (who did look awful in his one and only outing this year), I leave you with this-- Leighton's stats last year with the Flyers: .918 save percentage, 2.48 GAA (.916 and 2.46 in playoffs). Bob this year: .915 save percentage and 2.57 GAA. Boosh this year (much improved from last year) sits at .917 and 2.33. Those numbers are all really close. The main difference-- Leighton played in front of a much worse defense and a team that overall was not as good. In short, Leighton's injury must be the backstory here or he would get a few more shots to see if he could display his stellar form from last season. The other goalies have not outplayed him and they have had the better team in front of them. Good luck Leights and thanks for the ride.
- hope he lands out west, but he wasn't going to help us with that HUGE 5 hole!— sgamble077
- Hug the post, stick down. Adios Leighton.— largato
- And Bob has never played more than 35 games in a season. How do you expect him to hold up? He's already looking worn down and not like the way he looked in the first 2 months of the season. There are more moves coming.— BobbyD
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Thank you......now I can sleep at night!!!— The Philly Shadow
what type of waiver is it?— Pelti- leighton is not going to the islanders. really no explanation needed why...— john dorian
Sorry..I could never forget the Chicago series...Numerous soft goals...Good luck to him— jiggs111- ...it's not what I would have done,but I'm not the G.M.--best of luck to the Flyers and Leighton— petemagoop
- As soon as I read Leighton had the bad back when they were negotiating his contract, I knew he was a goner. Plus they have the cap issues. It's amazing the two Stanley Cup goalies are no longer with their teams.— vipers53
- As soon as I read Leighton had the bad back when they were negotiating his contract, I knew he was a goner. Plus they have the cap issues. It's amazing the two Stanley Cup goalies are no longer with their teams.— vipers53
- I am somewhat surprised they didn't give him more than 1 game, but agree it's the right move. Leighton gave us some good games to get us to the finals last year, but was not good in the finals. We'll see if anyone claims him.....— Tar Heel 1
