Comments on: Flyers stick with goaltending formula, sign Michael Leighton to two-year, $3.1 M deal

By: JCHFlyers

JCHFlyers — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:10:33 +0000

Completely agree with the post from “Leighton”. I blame defensive breakdowns, a lack of team energy, and an impressive offensive display by the Blackhawks for the Flyer’s inability to keep the puck out of the net. I haven’t looked at the stats, but my perception was that Leighton actually outplayed Niemi that series.
Anyway, the saved money can be better spent on defense or upgrading PK/PP teams. Not sure about getting rid of Boucher. Anybody know where the Backlund signing factors into all this?

By: Valley Chief

Valley Chief — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:37:13 +0000

James O’Brien could not be any more wrong. Is this your first time around the block Jimmy? The Flyers are going to buy out, waive or trade Brian Boucher now that Michael Leighton has re-signed. Trading Boosh has to be the first choice over a buy out, simply because of cap space, but a buy out might be necessary if there aren’t any takers. Leighton will likely serve as the backup next season, as one of Dan Ellis, Evgeni Nabokov, Marty Turco and Chris Mason are being targeted by the orange and black to fill the starting role.
The organization does not believe Ellis will be signing in Montreal, and that doesn’t really make much sense anyway. Why would Ellis sign with Montreal as a backup to Carey Price when he could get a starting job with another team if he waits another day?

By: stonelamb

stonelamb — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:39:04 +0000

i’m really happy to hear the Flyers signed Leighton. the management and fans always seem to blame the goalie when things go wrong. Leighton was a big reason the Flyers made it as far as they did. I’ve been a Flyers fan since i was a kid watching the Broad Street Bullies get the cup, and since then they have seemed to treat their goalies with as much importance as the equipment manager (no offense to equipment managers). Leighton now has the opportunity to help take the Flyers all the way. i think he can do it with this great team in front of him! they were really impressive this year–management and players!

By: Leighton

Leighton — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:35:28 +0000

Everyone seems to talk about the soft goals, but not the complete defensive breakdowns, or open net opportunities missed. He lost to the to the Cup winners, is that such a bad thing? Leighton played well in the regular season AND in the playoffs. It was a well deserved contract.
I’m tired of people wanting to overpay for a goalie. Look at the goalies in the Cup Finals since the lock out.
Cam Ward (rookie), Dwayne Roloson/Ty Conklin, Giguare, Emery, Osgood 2x, Fleury 2x, Neimi, and Leighton.
Fleury is the best on that list, but still inconsistant. Leighton is good until a prospect can be groomed into a starter.

By: grimjack

grimjack — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:22:48 +0000

“If the Flyers had had a star goalie they would now be the Stanley cup Champions”
And yet, as the writer pointed out, the teams with “star” goalies didn’t win the Stanley Cup this year, did they? Nabakov? Zero Cups. Luongo? Zero Stanley Cups. Tim Thomas? Sat on the bench. Turco? THe list goes on. Yet somehow Nabakov is going to come to Philly and win the cup. He couldn’t beat Chicago either. The Flyers need to keep upgrading defense, and maybe invest in a little more speed from their forwards. Letting a faster Hawks team in on odd man rushes did them in. That and if you are only going to take 6 shots in the first two periods, you better make sure they go in. Spend your money on defense.

By: Flyered...

Flyered... — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:42:52 +0000

Leighton has been a journeyman netminder his entire career. He played very well in the playoffs overall but let in a number of soft goals (especially in the last series).. If the Flyers had had a star goalie they would now be the Stanley cup Champions. I don’t like this move… This will help with the cap but not in getting a cup. Status quo never wins cups..

By: TG

TG — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:38:38 +0000

I like this move as well. Leighton and Boucher both played very well last year. Available free-agent goaltenders may have been marginally better, but way more expensive. The money is better spent to improve the third defensive pairing.

By: JCHFlyers

JCHFlyers — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:56:10 +0000

By and large, I agree with the move and the logic in this article. Definitely prefer this set-up than overpaying somebody like Nabakov.