Michael Leighton Officially Out 8-10 Weeks
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 18, 2010 2:54 PM EDT
in News
73 comments
Well, this was a lot faster than we're used to. Unlike the standard "day-to-day" progressing into long-term injury talk in a month, Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren today confirmed that Michael Leighton is officially out for at least 2 months before Brian Boucher even starts a game.
While there is no word yet whether Leighton will be going on LTIR, one can safely assume he will be with him out 8-10 weeks. For those wondering, if the 8 weeks is accurate, Leighton will be ready to return on May 13th. Not sure exactly where that is in the playoffs, but at that point, forget about it.
The Flyers goaltending situation is well-known at this point, but with Ray Emery already done for the season, this injury - likely ending Michael Leighton's season as well - leaves the Flyers in a pretty desperate situation. Beginning tonight, the Flyers have 7 games in 11 days. Their first, second, and fourth string goalies are hurt. There is very little good news here.
However! If Johan Backlund's groin injury is as mild as we are told, the Flyers shouldn't be too bad. But it still wouldn't hurt for Paul Holmgren to call Manny Fernandez and tell him to put the donut down.
More after the jump
Before moving on, let's first say goodbye to Michael Leighton's 2009-2010 season.
We looked at Leighton about a month ago, so there's really no need to go back into that. The journeyman netminder deserves a lot of the credit for turning the Flyers' season around in December, and he played exceptionally well for the Flyers. But his season is over.
That means the Flyers' will go as far as Brian Boucher allows them to. Like I said when talking about Leighton for the guys over at On the Forecheck, the team's hopes were never dependent upon their goalie to steal them games. It's what was asked of Ray Emery when he signed, it's what should have been asked of Michael Leighton should he have started in the playoffs, and it's what should now be asked of Brian Boucher: provide competent goaltending and let the team in front of you win the games.
The problem now is, who will be next in line behind Brian Boucher? Since anybody the Flyers sign would be ineligible to play in the playoffs, there are really only two goalies even worth mentioning: Johan Backlund and Jeremy Duchesne. While it would be nice to sign Manny Fernandez so Boucher can get some rest on back-to-back nights, he hasn't played all year and is unlikely to be ready to step in at the NHL level. Plus, why sign somebody just to play about 3 games? So, we'll start with the guy who will be wearing a Flyers jersey tonight in Dallas - Jeremy Duchesne.
The 23-year old former 4th-round pick doesn't have a lot to go on. He has only played 4 AHL games in his career, two of which came this month. He made his ECHL debut in 07-08, putting up average numbers (2.97 gaa, .903 s%) in 31 games. This season, he had a 3.20 gaa and .904 s% in 19 games before being recalled to the Phantoms. There isn't much to know about him, except for the fact that he is basically coming straight from the ECHL to the NHL. And he's already balding. But hey, maybe he'll be the Kyle Kendrick of 2007. Or not.
Because of this, everyone should be hoping that Johan Backlund's groin heals quickly.
Backlund was signed this past summer by the Flyers at the ripe age of 28 and brought to North America. While his stats in Adirondack aren't too impressive (2.79 gaa and .906 s%), neither are the Phantoms. By all accounts, he's been phenomenal for the Phantoms. While he wasn't particularly sharp in his preseason action with the Flyers, he had never seen any live game action on this side of the Atlantic before.
I wish I could show you some video of Backlund's play, but the best I can do is send you over to these game highlights. There are a few other games worth looking at, but you can't tell much in these. It's safe to say though, that Backlund is the second best goalie the Flyers have healthy now.
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This isn’t what I had in mind when I predicted Boucher-Backlund would be the playoff goalie combination…
But the Flyers are a better team now that Laviolette can’t send Leighton out there.
It actually might not be that bad because Boucher is definitely not overworked. He’ll now get 13 games in before the playoffs as I assume that he’ll get every start from now until then because this is apparently how we handle our #1 goalie.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Work them to death!
I keep thinking this would have been avoided if Boosh started a few games. Not every goalie is built to play 15+ games in a row.
I can read the future, while lesser men read comic books.
Fatigue = Bad techique = Injury or he could have rolled an ankle because the muscles of ankle or the muscles supporting the ankle were to fatigued to work properly or as you said it could have been an accident. Bottom line if your been overworking an athlete and this type of non contact injury occurs where it’s difficult to distinguish between accident and fatigue related failure, the fault falls on whoever overworked him…You roll the dice when you over train or overwork an athlete. If a coach is gonna gamble then, if the aforementioned type of injury occurs it’s the coach’s fault.
Damn straight
I’m surprised that the fella above you didn’t understand that. Kids nowadays…
Then again, hopefully Laviolette learn the true purpose of backup goalies… You know… Giving your started a break!
I can read the future, while lesser men read comic books.
This must make you happy. Leighton is gone and Bouch looks to me like his saves are as good as the kid in the Mighty Ducks movie. If we fall down the tubes you started out saying were done now you can be right.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Mar 18, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Well there’s always next year.
If Boucher gets hurt…
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Broad Street Hockey.
i think it’s safe to remove the “if Boucher gets hurt…” qualifier.
hell, i did that after the trade deadline.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually i do have some faith in Boosh. He had one good run in the Post Season and I’m hoping he can do it again. he also has a little more experience under his belt.
by SkookFlyerfan on Mar 18, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Well it is now 100% Boucher. I guess it is the exact point where it goes horribly bad for Brian as it has the other 35 times it was his job to lose. We will now be reminded why he was brought here as a back up that not many other teams even had interest in last summer. This guy has had the most unfortunate career in so many ways I feel for the guy and am hoping for the best. C’est la vie! Pourtant une autre année sans Lord Stanley’s Cup!
Opinion! Missed the bidding war articles.
by M from Pdaddy on Mar 18, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t understand. The sentence I quoted cannot be an opinion. Either there’s a source or you completely made it up.
why do you bother, we should be discussing something important, like which christmas tree the Flyers are going to put in net next season.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know much about Christmas Trees, but I’m hoping by Blue Spruce, you mean something with a huge trunk and lots of tight branches that are very hard to get through.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Here you go.
As you can see, the Blue Spruce has some space between the branches. But they are firm and can hold a good deal of weight. Plus, if I’ve ever dropped an ornament, it always gets stuck inside or bounces off and falls forward.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
No, actually an opinion is exactly what it is defined as and that is a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. Sorry I guess I wont be invited to your Brian Boucher fan club party. With all of your hockey acumen what makes you so sensitive to the idea that Brian Boucher is not going to make this team better, has never established himself as the number one goaltender on any of the six teams he has played for in the last eight years and has not been in a playoff game since 2001.
by M from Pdaddy on Mar 18, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction, I looked it up for statistical correctness and he has played in one playoff game since 2001. He got a whopping 2 minutes of slop duty for the Sharks in 08 playoffs. That is something I can hang my already cynical, jaded hat on for hope.
by M from Pdaddy on Mar 18, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
A better hockey team relative to what? This same team with Leights or Emery? From what we’ve seen so far this season, it’s a push…
We were relying on a replacement goalie getting hot in the playoffs three days ago, and that’s exactly what we are doing now. Nothing has changed.
Leighton might stop 28 of 30 shots one day, and stop 8 of 14 the next.
With Brian Boucher, you have a much more solid, reliable goaltender. He’s not going to make bail-out saves. But he’s also not going to let shots from the neutral zone trickle through his legs.
He’s going to make smart plays on the puck outside the net without Pronger having to tell him what to do.
And he’s going to actually stop shots in the upper half of the net.
Just to throw some hindsight into this whole equation:
Boucher/Emery: 900K + 1.5MM = 2.4MM in cap hit
Nitty/Biron: 600K + 1.4MM = 2.0 MM cap hit (I thought Nitty signed for 800k…)
That is some hilarious stuff right there.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Biron would not have signed with Philly for 1.5MM – He was looking for something in the 5MM range – that is why he was one of the last goalies signed this off season. He had to settle for 1.5MM with the Islanders because there were no other options.
by SanDiegoScraps on Mar 18, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
“Leighton might stop 28 of 30 shots one day, and stop 8 of 14 the next”
Source? Either there’s a source or you completely made those stats up.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2804/gamelog;_ylt=AjYF2ZITerMQWkwX2Y0MGXFivLYF
March 11th: 21/25
March 13th: 39/41
March 14th: 18/21
March 16th: 3/5
Sure. I just thought there was some negative tone in there, when really we’re asking Boosh to do the same job as Emery and Leights, and it’s a job he’s just as capable of doing.
I’m not sure I agree with Mario. I would argue Leighton better fits this system, which for the most part allows outside shots and covers rebounds, but occasionally has a huge breakdown requiring an exceptional effort from the goaltender. I believe we’ll be seeing some breakaway/2-on-1 goals on Boucher that you didn’t realize Leighton was making the difference on. I also expect that to be (mostly) offset by Boosh allowing less weak goals. The difference is—and maybe why there’s a bright side to this injury—is that Boucher is capable of rising up for the big save if he’s playing hot in a playoff series, but Leighton’s rebound control wasn’t going to fix itself magically when we drew a team that crashes the crease hard in the first round.
I am more cynical and jaded then really negative? That was slightly sarcastic. And your are right we are looking to hope that Boucher can play better than he ever has in his career, ie. gets lucky enough to take us far in the playoffs. Which is the same wish we have had for 20 something years (I would have said 30 something but it will start a big fight with the Hextall zealots so I will stick with 20) which is why I said, C’est la vie, Pourtant une autre année sans Lord Stanley’s Cup! Translation: Such is life, yet one more year without Lord Stanley’s Cup.
by M from Pdaddy on Mar 18, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing against Leighton but this is honestly the best thing that could have happened to the Flyers. Boosh is already signed for next year. If he proves that he can be a starter, which I think he can be then great, we have our starter for next year already signed. If he doesn’t prove to be a starter then we already have our back up. At least this way we are not locked into Boosh and Emery or Boosh and Leighton as our goalie duo for next season.
I for one am excited about the possibility of Boosh and Backlund. Assuming Lavvy ever let’s Backlund play. And maybe he will, he clearly doesn’t seem to think much of Boosh.
Geoff, I love the wrap up. Let’s get Fernandez on the phone!
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
And if he doesnt pick up, we could try CuJo.
by philiafan14364 on Mar 18, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless I’m mistaken, the Flyers can’t sign anyone because they weren’t on the roster at the trade deadline. But for next season …
They can sign someone but they can’t play in the playoffs, I think.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 18, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
They can sign him for the rest of the season, he can’t play in the playoffs.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 18, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Rejected title for this piece: Leights Out
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
Leights Out…Flyers playoff prospects seem dim
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If we are going to go down this road…..
Leights Out,…Uh hgh,…..Splash, Splash, Splash
by Prometheus74 on Mar 18, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
no, but i thought it was a clever joke
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m fine with Boucher. Oddly enough, I feel better about our chances with him than with Leighton. I think Leighton had a hell of a season, and I think that he has turned a corner as a professional. If he maintains focus and conditioning, there’s no reason why he won’t put up Biron-esque numbers from now on.
That said, I’m going to break character and agree with Mario here. Since the Olympic break, Leights has not been very good. He had a great game against the Blackhawks, a couple of decent wins against less-than-decent teams, a couple of “can’t-blame-the-goalie” losses where he could have been better, and a couple of real stinkers. Seeing as how the playoffs will not feature any less-than-decent teams, and considering our condensed schedule down the stretch, I was feeling starting to lose confidence in him.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Agree entirely.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 18, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
For those wondering, if the 8 weeks is accurate, Leighton will be ready to return on May 13th. Not sure exactly where that is in the playoffs, but at that point, forget about it.
The season ends Sunday April 11. Which means the Playoffs should start on April 14. Round one should be concluding around Friday April 23 with Round 2 set to open around the 25th.
Round two would end around May 6th.
May 13th would be the middle of the Conference Finals.
Is that right, because according to the NHL media site (can’t link it), the final day for the Cup finals is June 18, if it goes seven.
No way the Cup finals are three weeks long, right?
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 18, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
You have a lot of company on that one.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 18, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Just wanted to get pumped about the guy channeling his inner Hasek.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 18, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Was that Jonesy chasing down Elias? Why didn’t he signal Boucher to skate to the puck and start the transition back towards the Devils zone? Great save but the wrong play! HAHA
by M from Pdaddy on Mar 18, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve always wondered if those are boos since it’s Jersey or if it’s BOOOOSH… since it’s in Jersey.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 18, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
never has the headline on the front page of broad street hockey rang so true.
Chase Utley is so good that on one pitch he stole second, third and the shortstop's hat.
Just a thought...
… this season has been too crazy. Quite frankly, I just want us to make the playoffs, win a series, and then be done with it.
Think back to the day the Flyers started camp. If you’d have told me then that by St. Patrick’s Day the team would have gone through all of THIS, I would not have believed you:
- Had a decent start, then looked completely inept for the better part of two months.
- Had the team captain battling with the media.
- Had to deal with rumors of adultery (Carter vs. Hartnell) and leadership struggles (Richards vs. Pronger), fueled by certain irresponsible “bloggers” as well as we the fans AND the press.
- Had to deal with a mid-season coaching change, which they knew damn well was their own fault.
- Had to adjust to a new system, which required (thank God) that they get in shape.
- Had to subsist on waiver wire pickups after another fine season of cap mismanagement.
- Had to learn the hard way that one should not trade all of one’s draft picks, since one would no longer have draft picks to trade in the future.
- Had to handle the loss of TWO starting goalies for the year, one of whom was Michael Leighton.
At this point, I have two questions:
1. What did I miss?
2. What the hell will happen next?
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
# Had to subsist on waiver wire pickups after another fine season of cap mismanagement.
I don’t really think that happened. They have millions of dollars in cap space left. I would say that they relied on Leighton and Krajicek because they are shitty talent evaluators.
# Had to learn the hard way that one should not trade all of one’s draft picks, since one would no longer have draft picks to trade in the future.
You certainly should’ve believed that last summer.
I think it's safe to assume...
…it’ll be at least 36 years now between Cups for us.
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Colorado
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