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).
This team is goalie cursed. Dwayne Roloson sound pretty good now.— taintaugustine- Chris, did you look at Leighton's bio? What in that do you see that's better than Boosh? Brian has been in and started in playoff games and played pretty well. Leighton played above his skill which is great but no way no how is he better than Boucher.— dj.curly
- Stink— Anthony77
Comment removed.- So you're saying we won't have a backup goalie? What happens if Boucher is injured and has to leave a game? Seravalli, please clarify.— Tartan69
Geez Chicken littles. Boucher has done as well as Leighton would have. The team scored a total of 8 goals in 10 the games he started in net. There is no change. We spend nothing on goalies so we could spend in on lots of goal scoring and reduced chances against us. For us to win, those players need to score goals & play d. nothing changed.— flyler- I know I sound absolutely crazy and I probably am a little delirious, but this whole situation is a little weird and ironic. I thought it was funny when we resigned Boucher as a backup and thought that it would be funny if his career came full circle and he somehow won the starting job back. I've always had a soft spot for him, even after he originally lost his starting job to cechmanek. Now all of the sudden it's all up to him to blow this opportunity. He's all thats left, nobody else to answer to. Like I said, I know I sound completely off the wall and I'm the biggest critic of the Flyers but I have an odd feeling that Boucher's going to once again do something special. They won't win the cup but I feel that Boucher knows his career has come full circle and I think the D will tighten up for him and the offense will score enabling him to carry us for a deep playoff run. I just have a funny feeling that somehow this situation was meant for Boucher...... Remember I said this...— southpaw26
- sorry flyers fans i was looking foward to going to the pareot lounge IN FT LAUD TO SEE THE FLYERS all kidding asside see you in SEPT GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU DIE HEART FANS— omba sucks
- Nevermind I read your actual article. Jeremy Duchesne is the backup, then maybe Johan Backlund when healthy. Frank this post and your Twitter updates made it sound like we couldn't even carry a backup goalie: "No one else is eligible, either. It's Boosh or die."— Tartan69
- The Flyers fans deserve better than what the management has given them. Hopefully, Boucher can get the job done. There was no reason for management to act smug at the trade deadline. Fine, you shouldn't trade Jeff Carter, but you needed help at goalie and should have acquired one.— 76erfn
- I know I sound absolutely crazy and I probably am a little delirious, but this whole situation is a little weird and ironic. I thought it was funny when we resigned Boucher as a backup and thought that it would be funny if his career came full circle and he somehow won the starting job back. I've always had a soft spot for him, even after he originally lost his starting job to cechmanek. Now all of the sudden it's all up to him to blow this opportunity. He's all thats left, nobody else to answer to. Like I said, I know I sound completely off the wall and I'm the biggest critic of the Flyers but I have an odd feeling that Boucher's going to once again do something special. They won't win the cup but I feel that Boucher knows his career has come full circle and I think the D will tighten up for him and the offense will score enabling him to carry us for a deep playoff run. I just have a funny feeling that somehow this situation was meant for Boucher...... Remember I said this...— southpaw26
"...I rather have an unknown then a guy who hasn't been able to get it done." See McNabb. Not worth investing any more time with this team.- Said that yesterday, when you hear something "pop" you're going to be out a long time, tis the breaks, let's hope Boosh can carry the load, just sayin'...— DJ
- Interesting that you mentioned Parent's name, JSaq. When was the last time the Flyers had a goalie with Parent's ability?— 76erfn
- AAAAMEN "southpaw26"...i clearly have that same soft spot for boosh...never feel as though he was respected or handled properly with laviolette being the latest offender...expecting a lot from a guy who has started one game since december something but i have faith in him too! god forbid he has a bad night tonight...let us all remember this is a TEAM sport...how else do you think leighton looked so good?!? boucher was sooooo happy to come back to this city and organization yet AGAIN...and for what...this kind of scrutiny he will be under and have to endure?!? goalies have to be mentally tough...i say he rises here!— phillyflyer31
