Leighton to miss a month, Laperriere out indefinitely
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren called Michael Leighton’s latest setback a “bombshell,” saying it caught him off-guard Tuesday when he found out that Leighton will be out at least one month with a bulging disc in his lower back. Hardly anyone is truly surprised, given Holmgren’s ambiguous handling of the injury on Monday. Holmgren said a second opinion on Monday night convinced him of the problem.
Leighton to miss a month, Laperriere out indefinitely
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren called Michael Leighton’s latest setback a “bombshell,” saying it caught him off-guard Tuesday when he found out that Leighton will be out at least one month with a bulging disc in his lower back.
Hardly anyone is truly surprised, given Holmgren’s ambiguous handling of the injury on Monday.
Holmgren said a second opinion on Monday night convinced him of the problem.
"We got a curveball thrown at us, too," Holmgren said.
Holmgren revealed Leighton will not require surgery right now, opting instead of rest and rehab to see if they can get everything to “settle down.” If you recall, the Flyers tried the rest and rehab method with defenseman Ryan Parent’s bulging disc last year, which ultimately required surgery to fix the problem.
"My personal experience with bulging disks is they go back in eventually," Holmgren said. "It’s not a herniated disc, which is a bigger issue in and of itself. It’s a bulging disk, and we think with strengthening and rehab and time that he’ll be OK. Right now we think that time period is a month just to let everything settle down. In goal, it’s a little more dicey than a regular player because of the way he’s bent over all the time in net."
However, the biggest bombshell of Tuesday’s afternoon wasn’t Leighton’s announcement. Holmgren also announced that playoff hero Ian Laperriere will be out indefinitely.
Laperriere is suffering from post-concussion symptoms, Holmgren said, likely related to the slap shot he took to the face back on April 22 in the first round against the Devils. An MRI shortly after the injury, which required between 80-100 stitches, revealed internal bleeding on the brain.
Laperriere had appeared in just one of the four preseason games so far and missed practice on both Monday and Tuesday.
Laperriere returned to the lineup on May 21 in the Eastern Conference Finals against his hometown Montreal Canadiens before making the first Stanley Cup Finals appearance of his 15-year NHL career.
Holmgren, who said he “kind of had a clue” as to how Laperriere was feeling, said Laperriere was not “completely honest” with the Flyers medical staff as to his condition before returning to the ice in the playoffs. Holmgren said "before he played last year, the spot didn’t go away but the bleeding had stopped."
Laperriere said before he returned that the spot had completely disappeared.
Holmgren noted Laperriere struggled with the symptoms – usually headaches, dizziness, vision problems and nausea – throughout the summer. It is unclear if they were intensified with the start of training camp on Sept. 17.
"He never let on over the course of the summer that he was having any effects over the summer," Holmgren said. "But in my talks with him on Saturday he did say he wasn’t completely honest about how he felt and he tried to work through some things."
With Laperriere out of the lineup, Holmgren said it would not sway the club’s decision on whether to sign right winger Bill Guerin to replace him. Guerin, 39, is still in camp on a tryout contract.
Meanwhile, Holmgren also said goaltender Johan Backlund “has not yet factored into” the Flyers goaltending equation, but could later this week as he returns to action for the first time since offseason hip surgery. Backlund is likely to play in one or both of the final two preseason games this weekend.
Holmgren added that the salary cap will not impact the Flyers’ decision regarding goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky, 22, will actually earn $200,000 more than Leighton if he is on the NHL roster this season.
However, $875,000 of Bobrovsky’s $1.75 million deal is filled with performance-based bonuses. Those bonuses do count against the salary cap but the Flyers can choose whether to apply them to this year’s cap or next year’s.
"I don't think finances are an issue," Holmgren said. "What we decide, either way, it will work."
It is unclear whether Leighton or Laperriere will start the season on the Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), which would free the Flyers of their combined $2.716 million cap hit. If on the LTIR, both players would be required to miss at least 10 games or 24 days.
The Flyers will resume their preseason schedule tonight in Newark against the Devils, likely with Bobrovsky in net and Brian Boucher as the backup.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DNFlyers.
Alrighty then - so Lappy is going to have a slow recovery, and Leighton is out. Intersting, Carcillo may not be expendable - or if we sign Guerin we'll also see Shelley dress more often that we originally thought. Carcillo still could go to clear cap space for Guerin, if mgmt decides to sign him. Also, Bob's cap hit is higher than ML's. So Bob can't stay up unless ML is on LTIR or waived. Onward, with Boucher, Bob, Shelley, Powe and Guerin!!— GA_Expat- So Leighton went from being out for a few days to out for a month and they just found out now that Laperriere is suffering from post-concussion syndrome from last year's playoffs and will be out indefinitely? I know NHL teams are notorious for hiding the injury status of players, but this is really pretty bad.— fentonhardy
- I like Boucher and all that but I would rather have a healthy Leighton but that's not saying much either...just another year with the goalie rotation in full swing. I find it interesting though, a bulging disc doesn't just happen (I have two of them), it can be a long term deal but most get steroid injections directly into the disc, yeah it's a lot of fun.— 67Flyer
- so much for the earlier report of Leighton's back strain not being serious— NovaNation1024
- I love Lappy, but hopefully this opens up a spot for Guerin.— bobbyd24
Comment removed.- Here we go with the goalie - go - round again . . . Hey maybe emery's recovered . . . i hear esche wants outta russia . . . how bout favell . . . is Sudsie still around ?— ingy9
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- Leighton and Boucher are the same goalie. Average with a penchant for a hot streak. They're not gonna lead us down the parade route. I'll never understand the Flyers and their problems with getting a real goalie.— johnnygriswold
- bulging discs flare up in sedentary life, this sounds like a recurring problem from here on out— alswi
- lappy set a bad example for younger people, shame on him— NRA AL
- Why is it that the last two Flyers GMs have had absolutely no ability to undertsand the importance of strong goaltending? This latest information on Leighton is utterly inexcusable, and Homer should be held accountable. And the sudden truthfulness on Lappy's part - not right but I understand his position; what I don't understand is why he wasn't being monitored by the organization and required to take post concussion tests at regular intervals throughout the summer. What the H is wrong with Holmgren for not minding the store a whole lot better? If you were some manager working for a company and had these types of mismanagement lapses you would be in the unemployment line. Please don't tell me that the one thing separating this team from a very possible Cup run is going to yet again be goaltending?— CTL
It's not like everyone in Philly couldn't see this coming...why did we offer contracts to turco and nabokov, but couldn't go after Halak or Niemi who signed for about what they offerred those guys...no sense. I like Leighton, but there was chances to upgrade and solidify and nothing was done. Frustrating because that's the only whole in this team, and its a big one.
Bouch number 1 and Backlund number 2 - the kid goes down for work in the minors - don't want to throw him to the dogs right away - confidence is a huge factor in goalies. But it will be hard to keep him down there if Bouch or Backlund as the starter don't have high save percentages. You can't sit Sergi on the bench so he either starts or its off to the AHL. Hope Leights doesn't need surgery - its a long season - a rested Leighton might be nice to have in 2011 but surgery on the back is still dicey at best. I rate the goalies like everyone else as Leighton (more consistent), Bouch (can get on a crazy hot streak) and Backlund more experience than the kid- none of them right now is head and shoulders above the rest but Sergei could be that guy. It would be nice if Backlund surprised us all. It looks like he'll have his chance and right away....Go Phillies!!!!- Maybe Bobvrosky' s the real deal . . i know he's only 22 and should start the season in the AHL . . but he's probably already better than Bouch . . . . . either way . . looks like we're about to find out . . .— ingy9
- I don't understand why losing your starting goaltender relates back to not having a stud goaltender. What if the Flyers would've unloaded someone else to obtain cap room for that stud goaltender and he's the one who got hurt during preseason? You would be facing the same situation as now except that you would've lost other players to make room for him as well.— shadesofdeath
- I smell cover up. I believe that if Bobrovsky is on the opening day roster, he is Leighton + 1.75 million cap hit for a team that was only 750k under the cap. I hope Lappy's concussion doesn't go the Rathje, jeff hackett route— mike
- Why is Homer dragging his feet on Guerin?— ammo23
- Wait, so the medical staff cleared him to play despite an abnormal MRI showing a "spot" on it??? Hope their med mal insurance is paid up.— ForWhoForWhat?
- I really felt that the Shelley signing was insurance in case Lappy wasn't going to be able to go. I really didn't think he'd come back at all.
And I reckon we'll find out if Bobrovsky can play sooner rather than later.— either orr - sorry, correction. my numbers were a little off... Bob is 1.75 cap hit if he is on the roster.— mike
- The Flyers have a dominant defense, quality goal scorers, and zero goaltending. Where have we seen this before?— hunsinator
- I agree with shadesofdeath on this - Leighton wasn't considered an injury risk (nor was Emery last year) - just an unforeseeable tough break for the Flyers - they'll deal with it - that defense will make whoever plays a better goalie.— timpduffy
- @NRA AL - You mean your own well being aside in order to help your team. I don't think that's such a bad lesson in this "me first" time we live in.— tfnj42
Guys, its not like good goalies grow on trees. I am glad they didn't sign some retread or washed up veteran, and Neimi is no better than Boucher. They need to get lucky with a young goalie, like other teams do, Flyers have had a long dry spell with drafting young goaltenders. Maybe Bob is the guy.— blaqjaq- You had to know that whem Homer said Leighton was ok and would return on Thursday there was a problem. The Flyers always downplay injuries and try to get the player to return way too soon. Any real Flyers fan can tell you that.— BobbyD
- "Niemi no better than Boucher"? wow...its hard to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man...ugh
- Yes the Flyers have Goalie depth,they need to throw the kids in net early in the 1st 1/2 season to see how they pan out for the 2nd 1/2 of the season— Keiferscool
- Relax. Bobrovsky will be the starter soon enough, boucher back up. Bobrovsky cant do any worse then leighton/boucher. Plus our D is top 3 in the NHL and our offense is even better then last year.— fman727
- In a f&*ked up way, Guerin can most likely thank lappy for finally being honest about having post-concussion symptoms.— Italia1
- I love Lappy but I really think Homer should just go on with it and sign Guerin all ready! Don't let him get away! It's going to be a long season!!!!!!— NinaNoodle
- There is a reason why teams are strengthening their defense and acquiring depth. Not to downplay the importance, but goaltending is not the differentiator for a team it once was. Think about it, how many goalies are really above the average pack? The goal Miller gave up to Crosby in the olympics was just as weak as Leightons in game 6. Why do you think no team saw value in Nabokov for what he was asking and he went to the KHL? With very few exceptions (Brodeur comes to mind), a majority of goalies today have all been trained the same way, using the same techniques, etc. You can throw a shadow over most of them and you would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Niemi last year may have been one of the weakest goalies to ever win a cup. Their D was a big difference for them. The Flyers did the right thing and strengthened their D. The Flyers top 6 are very strong. The Penguins did the same thing. They have 8 guys competing for 2 open D spots, 6 of which would probably make most other NHL teams. Ray Shero is no dummy, he sees the same thing. The key for the Flyers GAA will be their D staying healthy.— flypen
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Wow. Lappy is the epitome of a real hockey player. What a warrior, and he couldn't be in a place that appreciates him more. However, he should put him and his family first and retire. Thanks for the heart you have shown night in and night out as a flyer, best of health to you.- Leighton had a minor back problem, Lappy was good to go, Rollins had a minor calf strain, Rollins stayed in the game after his hammy injury, Howard's ankle was day-to-day, Bradley and Kolb both returned to the game after obvious concussions. As far as injuries go, Reid Holmgren, and Cholly are laughable and dangerous. Never believe a word they say, but not because they are lying. For better or worse, they are living in another era.....and they aren't too smart.— bobby orr
- Toskala on the cheap. He needs a job.— specterlaw
Like him or not, you have to feel sorry for Leighton. The guy finally gets his shot and before he gets the chance to even sink or swim, he's done in by a serious injury. Tough break for anybody.— icarus- wah wah flyers never understand importance of a goalie wah wah... do u fools know that we went to the cup w Leighton and Boucher?? do u fools know we should have went to a game 7 if that wuss Carter had any balls to score a big goal during that game 6? do u know that the Stanley cup champ hawks let the goalie that won them the cup walk for a measly $2 million?? its a new nhl and a strong 6-man defensive corps is the key to winning. well guess what, we have the best D in the nhl. so when the flyers tear it up and they have one of the best team GAA in the league with whatever goalie is in there, you will just feel dumb. jeez, so many complainers, not enough thinkers!— 420Phillie
- "WHAT ABOUT BOB ???" HE WILL PROVE HE IS THE FLYERS GOALIE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE !!!— longislandflyerfan
- PAUL, SIGN BILLY GUERIN NOW !!!!!!!— longislandflyerfan
- Operate. Fix this now. How many times with the same mistakes.— LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron
- maybe give leighton a chance once hes healthy? not every goalie is going to be great off the bat. and when they do they'r not always stud goalies(Boucher comes to mind). The fact is the D is the most important part to winning. Maybe stop focusing on one man and more of the team aspect of hockey. A goalie is only as good as the men in front of him.— theeman
- theeman is just that...Keeping the puck out of the net takes five guys and a goalie, not just the goalie himself. Flyers will go as far as how well they play in front of whoever. the occasional big save doesn't hurt and you need it, but the bigger impact comes from everyone else being in the right spot and doing the right thing.— flypen
- We'll have to flyyyyy.. to a Bobrov cup this year!— drbob1
- Lappy still having symptoms 5 months later is not good. Another 5 months probably ain't gonna help...
I agree with flypen's description of today's goalies-all pretty much the same-same moves, same ridiculously oversized padding, and the Hawks letting theirs walk away. Who is a "stud" goalie these days anyway?— skaj11 - Frank, this might deserve an investigation and resignation of Holmgrem. He allowed a player to tell him the "spot" of blood on his brain went away and not the team doctor? This is a case of gross negligence on the Flyers part.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/103934359.html
Holmgren, who said he “kind of had a clue” as to how Laperriere was feeling, said Laperriere was not “completely honest” with the Flyers medical staff as to his condition before returning to the ice in the playoffs. Holmgren said "before he played last year, the spot didn’t go away but the bleeding had stopped."
Laperriere said before he returned that the spot had completely disappeared.
— MichaelZoe
