Leighton's season over
Daily News Flyers blog
Leighton's season over
DALLAS – The news was worse than the Flyers could have ever hoped.
Michael Leighton’s magical run as the Flyers’ savior is over.
According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, Leighton will be out for 8-to-10 weeks with a “severe” left high ankle sprain.
A normal high ankle sprain probably would’ve kept Leighton off the ice for 3 or 4 weeks, just in time for the start of the NHL playoffs. Leighton said he “heard a pop” when he was leaning back to make a save in the first period against Nashville on Tuesday.
Without him, the Flyers will have to rely on backup Brian Boucher for their stretch run and most likely the first two playoff rounds – should they make it that far. The regular season ends on April 11.
Tonight (8:30 p.m. game time) is Boucher's first start since Dec. 21.
Even if Leighton is healthy enough to return and the Flyers were still playing in the second or third round, it would be hard to vacate Boucher from the net.
Boucher last saw action in the playoffs in 2008 with San Jose, when he was called in to bail out Sharks starter Evgeni Nabokov. He did carry the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000… 10 years ago!
While we’re at it, let’s squash the rumors that the Flyers have interest in signing former goalie Robert Esche. Yes, Esche wrapped up his fine season in the Russian Kontinental League – and his play could earn a contract – but Esche would not be eligible for the playoffs since he wasn’t on the team roster by the March 3 trade deadline.
It would be nice to have a backup with NHL experience but why delay the inevitable with Boucher and force him to find rhythm in the first game of the playoffs.
The truth: the Flyers will live and die with Boucher.
ALSO: The Flyers could be without forward Scott Hartnell for tonight’s game in Dallas.
Hartnell was the only Flyer to miss the team’s morning skate at the American Airlines Center, his jersey and equipment hung neatly in his locker.
Holmgren said in a text message to the Daily News that Hartnell is “OK” but teammates said Hartnell is sick, possibly suffering from some sort of stomach virus.
Both Ville Leino and Darroll Powe said they are in the lineup tonight but Peter Laviolette said he “wasn’t sure yet” who was going to play.
Here were the lines this morning:
Gagne – Richards – Carcillo
Leino – Carter - Briere
Van Riemsdyk – Giroux - Asham
Powe – Betts – Laperriere
I’d say that lineup is subject to change. Arron Asham skated for a long time after practice – usually reserved for healthy scratches – so he could be out if Hartnell is better.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter (http://twitter.com/DNFlyers).
My god....are the Flyers ever going to find a quality goalie that stays alive and healthy? At least we have the Phils.- With a shaky D after Carle & Pronger and a mediocre PK unit, this team needed an above average goaltender to do something in the playoffs. Instead they now have arguably the worst starting goaltender in the NHL. Lavvy clearly had no confidence in Boucher either or he wouldn't have started Leighton 14 consecutive games either. 1 and done at best for the Flyers and an offseason where they will be largely handicapped by the salary cap.— MG77
- There is absolutely no way Boucher has the ability to handle Buffalo & New jersey, let alone Pitt & Wash in a 7 game series. This season is a waste... not only is the goaltending a situation again but this team has shown no heart, inconsistant play. This team allows whoever they play to dictate the flow and type of game it is. Not a winner.— inkd0874
- The goaltending curse has kicked into overdrive this season. Can we maybe address the goalie situation this offseason? Meanwhile, Craig Anderson, the former Panther who was an available free agent last summer, is 35-20-5 for resurgent Colorado. Anderson's .923 save percentage is 6th in the NHL, and he ranks second in the league in games played (61) and first in saves (1,807).— Snap Crackle Propp
- Leighton is just proof that professional goaltenders can be great if they get a chance. Playing every single night is all that most of them need. Boosh had a great run 10 years ago for the Flyers, but he has had amazing stretches outside of Philly. I believe he holds the NHL record for consecutive shutouts. And he did that on a Phoenix team that was not a powerhouse. He will play himself into a groove, and he can be a great goalie. As for the playoffs, Flyers are pretty much a lock. The Rangers would need to get 7 more points than Philly in 12 games. So lets say the flyers were 6-7 in the last 13 games, the Rangers would need to win 10 of 12. Although they do finish the season with a home and home.— Hexy4GM
- dj.curly - What makes you think Boucher is even good? He has been a career backup! I repeat, "a backup!" Atleast with Leighton he had some upside. He never really had a chance to start on a NHL team, but if you ever took the time to look at his bio you would realize he never had a chance. Boucher had many chances, but NEVER had it mentally to be a starter. Leighton is more of a unknown, but I rather have an unknown then a guy who hasn't been able to get it done.— ChrisM
- Booman55 is right. Boosh and Leighton are interchangeable. They are both decent goalies who are probably equally likely (or unlikely) to get hot in the playoffs. No big loss. Now if BOOSH gets hurt, the Flyers are screwed.— Vituperator
- Boucher's problem has always been mental. When he is hot he can be as good as anyone, the problem is he can't remain consistance and at the most important games he will fail to deliver. With Leighton he is more of a unknown. You never know how a goalie will react in the playoffs until he has the chance. Boucher is just to inconsistant.— ChrisM
- as "booman" stated so well...it's leighton...not brodeur...all of you "experts" truly did drink the leighton cool-aid eh!?! unreal...just UNREEEAL...isn't there a site for band wagoners and the hockey challenged to go to?!? boosh has the ability and the experience...play off experience as well to take them much further then they were headed...we just have to help the TEAM shows up too...we are expecting a lot from boucher considering how sparsely he has been used...especially as a starter! but let's stay together here...at least the true flyer fan!— phillyflyer31
- i find it interesting that boucher was apparently good enough...to back up... a virtual "experiment" in emery...really not sure how well he performed for us either in all honesty...boucher gets his chance...as short as it was...to start...at a time when the team was spiraling and not scoring...gets hurt himself...and then is REPLACED essentially by a guy in his late 20's grabbed off the waiver wire...from a last place team!?! i mean REEEALLY...you have/had more faith in leighton then boosh...get a clue!— phillyflyer31
- What do we know about this kid backing him up? Is the the next Hextall? 1987 went to the cup with a rookie goalie...maybe we have something here with Boosh and this kid Jeremy Duchesne??— dbm144
- Leighton played well, but is it really that huge a drop off? It's not like Bernie Parent got hurt and they have to turn to Stephane Beauregard— JSaq
- duchnesne won't be here long...they are just waiting for backlund's groin to heal which should be very soon!we will be fine...wasn't like leighton stood on his head for this team...this team...TEAM...needs to show up!— phillyflyer31
terrible end to a terrible season- this team used to have nooo problem bringing up young goalies...pelle...hex...but went a long stretch before their next one...nitty...who they also didn't have much faith in even after nitty was the MVP of the '06 olympic hockey...feeling the need to go out and sign biron in that off season!?! funny how nitty goes down and takes smith's job basically...you have to wonder about how the organization handles and evaluates their young goalies...needs to be addressed i think!?!— phillyflyer31
