Islanders interested in Michael Leighton? UPDATE: Probably not
by Travis Hughes on Feb 9, 2011 3:54 PM EST
in Philadelphia Flyers Rumors
Email
Print
UPDATE: It doesn't look like the Islanders will be acquiring Leighton. They've made a trade for former New York Rangers first round pick Al Montoya, who was seen as the next great Ranger goalie when he was selected sixth overall in 2004 -- until that Henrik Lundqvist guy came along. Anyway, Montoya means no Leighton on the Island.
The sky is falling when it comes to injuries and goaltenders on Long Island. I've tried to keep a handle on it but I'm just going to let Lighthouse Hockey explain because I'm sure Dominik knows a whole lot better than I.
The sun did come up (barely) today, club operations resumed, the team had practice. See if you can follow, per the Islanders: Rick DiPietro was officially placed on IR and Jesse Joensuu was recalled -- skating with Rob Schremp and Josh Bailey in practice -- to replace Jeremy Colliton(rib, two weeks). UPDATE: Kevin Poulin is done for the year with a dislocated kneecap requiring surgery.
With DiPietro out, Poulin out, Nathan Lawson on the mend and Evgeni Nabokov unwilling to participate in the proceedings, the Isles are down to Joel Martin and Mikko Koskinen on the NHL roster. To put a little perspective on this, Martin started the season in the Central Hockey League with the Odessa Jackalopes.
It's bad. Might even be worse than things were here last season in net. It's debatable, at the very least. So what do teams do when they need a goalie midseason? They see what Michael Leighton is up to, of course!
According to Katie Strang at Newsday, the Islanders are indeed looking to trade for a veteran goaltender. (The article is behind a pay wall but she Tweeted some details.) She reports that Mike Smith likely isn't an option, considering they passed on him last week when Tampa sent him through waivers and assigned him to Norfolk of the AHL.
So what about Leights?
Don't believe that Michael Leighton is their top target at this point, but could become an option
Katie Strang
KatieStrangNYI
Not sure who their top target would be -- speculation: Toronto has an extra goalie, Anaheim might have an extra goalie if Ray Emery gets back to form sooner rather than later (but probably not) -- but if they do turn to Leighton, he could get his wish and get out of Glens Falls after all.
105 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Leighton, Shelley, and Walker for an old Zamboni and an extra copy of team fortress 2 so G and Briere can stop complaining about the other being a screen looker.
Samesis
by JpH89 on Feb 9, 2011 3:59 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
Make the Zamboni a ‘lease’ that we return at the end of the season – it’ll appeal more to Snow.
Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.
by MaximumTalbot on Feb 9, 2011 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Leighton deserves a chance to play somewhere, just not here. It’s not his fault it would be assinine for us to recall him because of our cap situation. But it is his fault that we’ll always have one image burned into our memory when related to him. And that his five hole is about the same consistency as DiPietro’s.. just a bit healthier.
I think they’re going to trade Nabokov straight up for Leighton! Can they do that even though the former is “suspended”?
"Darroll can't see it, blind to the eyes;
He came up in your face OOPS POWE SURPRISE!"
Man-crushin' on #36 since he hit his "absolute ceiling" as a rookie in 2008.
This is correct. Per McKenzie:
In order to trade Nabokov, here is what would have to happen (put on your thinking cap, because this is going to get complicated):
The Islanders would inform the league they intend to trade Nabokov. Before any trade could be executed, though, the NHL would go to any other club(s) that put in an original waiver claim (besides the Isles) and ask whether those teams have interest in acquiring Nabokov for the $3,375 waiver price. If an original claimant wants Nabokov, they get him. If more than one original claimant wants him, the team lowest in the standings on the day he was put on waivers gets the player. Nabokov never actually gets put on waivers a second time in this scenario.
So in that case the Isles cannot execute the trade. Original waivers claimants take precedence over the Islanders’ desire to trade him.
If the Isles were the only team that put in a claim, the Isles still are not free to trade Nabokov. Not yet.
That’s because as a player who played in Europe after the NHL season began, Nabokov must clear waivers any time he is being traded or assigned.
In that case, any of the 29 teams, including Detroit, can put in a claim on Nabokov. If more than one team puts in a claim, the team lowest in the standings gets him. In this actual (second) waiver scenario, there is no priority given to a team that originally claimed Nabokov the first time he was on waivers.
In the end, I don’t think it matters. I read Nabby stopped skating after he was let go by the KHL…he’s probably rusty and out of shape.
by IG on Feb 9, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
That is actually a very interesting question. Geoff or Travis, can you weigh in?
by NickFotiu4HOF on Feb 9, 2011 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
What Snevik said.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions
He seems to fit the criteria:
Injury prone
Arguible talent
Fun to make fun of
Yup, send him off.
Laperriere is my hero
Carcillo's my lover
Bobrovsky's my savior
Hockeys my life
by Cillo stache on Feb 9, 2011 4:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Lieghton doesn’t deserve the antipathy that seems to proliferate here on bsh.com. He was a waiver wire goalie who took us (along with Boosh) to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Not bad.
I hope thatm if the Islanders want Lieghts, Homer gives Lieghton the choice, stay in Glen Falls and be the third goalie in the playoffs, or play in the NHL for the Islanders till April 5th (no way they make the playoffs). We owe it to Lieghton to have the choice.
This isn’t about not liking Leighton, it’s about moving his contract on a team with too many goalies. This is a win/win for both parties. Leights gets NHL playing time again, the Flyers clear his salary for next year, and the log jam at goal in the AHL, and the depth chart next year.
Frankly, we owe him nothing, the Flyers gave him an excellent contract over the summer, he was injured, and subsequently replaced. This is professional sports and a business. Not to mention how this seems like a win/win again.
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
Question: we can trade Leighton without re-entry, right? And then the Isles wouldn’t have to put him on re-entry to call him up?
Geoff and I were just talking about this. Don’t think so.
Visit the BSH Store :: Get us on Twitter :: facebook, too!
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. 2010 Eastern Conference Champions.
by Travis Hughes on Feb 9, 2011 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
But I said I think they can. I just have no idea.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions
I think Leighton has to pass through reentry waivers to return to NHL play, regardless of which team it would be for. Which is why this deal hasn’t happened yet. Whoever puts him through reentry is at risk, so there would have to be some consideration due one team or the other in case a third team puts in a waiver claim. Just my opinion, feel free to tell me to shut up.
I honestly have no idea. That may very well be the case (Newsday? agrees with you, right?) it just seems incredibly stupid.
I’d have to (but I won’t, because I don’t care) look at the CBA, but re-entry waivers are for players on “recall”. Well, the Islanders didn’t re-assign him, so they wouldn’t be recalling him. It would be stupid to tell a team they can’t acquire a Wade Redden without being susceptible to the cap hit. If it’s true, the NHLPA really effed up.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
If they have to assign him to the AHL because they’d be risking re-entry waivers, which I’m not sure about because I can’t find precedent, there is a wonky loophole that would fix the problem but they’d have to wait two weeks to call him up. There’s a funny quirk in the CBA that if you call up a player through re-entry waivers after the trade deadline, the odds of them getting claimed go down dramatically. They still have to pass through re-entry waivers and they can get claimed, but the team that claims him cannot play him this season. Even though he’d still be half price for them next year, most teams aren’t going to claim a guy knowing they can’t play him at all this year. This happened with Nick Boyntown of the Blackhawks last year. He was demoted by a different team, and Chicago made a trade for him while he was in the AHL and assigned him to their AHL affiliate. They were then able to call him up through re-entry after the trade deadline without him getting claimed.
by DragonGirl0583 on Feb 9, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Why have I never heard of this?
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve found articles with examples of it before, or I wouldn’t know either. It’s really strange, but it’s happened. Boynton actually passed through re-entry waivers twice last year, once before the deadline and once after.
by DragonGirl0583 on Feb 10, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting, didn’t know that. But I was also thinking about the reentry waiver thing re: Leighton. I think he (or any player in the same circumstances) can’t be exempted from reentry because there could be a potential circumvention. Suppose the Flyers wanted to bring Leighton back next week but didn’t want to risk losing him via reentry waivers. They could trade him to, for example, the Isles who could bring him up w/o reentry waivers. The Flyers could then reaquire him for a draft pick and circumvent the waiver rule.
So, Homer could be keeping Leighton/Walker in the AHL until after the deadline?
That would be very shrewd
Mourning Gagne forever.
But then he has to deal with the cap…
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
There’s another weird thing though, after the deadline I’m pretty sure you can only make 4 non-emergency callups from the AHL. So you can’t just stash a whole mess of players down there.
by DragonGirl0583 on Feb 10, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
Give Leighton for there soon to be first round pick in next years draft. I am sure he is a better option than what they have. And when glassman comes back from healing his busted face,he will only have to sit a game or two before Ricky breaks again and Leighton is back playing full time.
Leino = $$$
by flyerfreek on Feb 9, 2011 4:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I just asked this question to Pierre LeBrun on ESPN (he’s the only ESPN writer I respect). What do you guys think? (besides…“Not this shit again!”)
Ian (New York)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT…Is Forsberg a Flyer by the end of the month if the Avs keep slipping?
Pierre LeBrun (4:22 PM)
Never crossed my mind and nor have I heard that possibility but I know Holmgren loves him
I don’t see a reason for the Avs to give up a cheap, prorated Forsberg. At any point. Even if they drop off of the playoff pace, they still have to sell tickets to their mostly vacant building.
I thought it was $1 mil cap, prorated.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
Capgeek was telling me 2mil cap hit, and articles were saying “1 mil prorated contract.” I didn’t bother doing the math with the per diem, but I assume we are past the halfway point of the season, day-wise.
Oh. I have no idea, nor do I care. haha
Sounds like you did more work than me, so I’ll just go with what you say.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 10, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
The Flyers don’t have a roster spot to waste on a guy whose best years are well behind him.
Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.
by MaximumTalbot on Feb 9, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
I get Newsday’s articles online so here’s what it says:
During the second period of last night’s 5-3 loss to Toronto, Islanders GM Garth Snow confirmed to Newsday via text that he was trying to bring a veteran goaltender to Long Island.
As of 1 p.m. today, Snow said he was still working on a trade that could make that happen. The Islanders are in dire need of some stable goaltending with the recent loss of 20-year-old rookie goaltender Kevin Poulin.
Poulin went down in a freak accident during warmups last night and is out for the rest of the season with a dislocated left knee cap that will require surgery.
Snow will try to target a goaltender with NHL experience that is 3rd on the depth chart somewhere and/or playing in the AHL right now. However, Snow is not willing to give up a top prospect, so if he cannot make a deal come to fruition sooner than later, he’ll ride out Mikko Koskinen until Nathan Lawson is ready to return.
Lawson, who is close to returning from an MCL strain in his left knee, practiced fully again today and is within a week of being ready to play.
22-year-old Koskinen, who made his unexpected NHL debut last night, will start tomorrow against Montreal at the Bell Centre. Joel Martin will back him up.
The Islanders claimed veteran goaltender Evgeni Nabokov off waivers in recent weeks, but the 35-year old Russian netminder refused to report. The Islanders still have him under contract, but Snow declined to comment whether he has reached out to him recently in another attempt to change his mind.
After Nabokov’s refusal to report and subsequent suspension, the Islanders passed on Lightning goaltender Mike Smith, placed on waivers less than a week ago. According to one source, the Islanders are still not interested in him.
Michael Leighton could be a more attractive option, although he would have to clear re-entry waivers before being traded.
Leighton was waived by Philadelphia last month and has played 12 games since for the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League.
Jonas Gustavsson*** is also a possibility. With James Reimer and Jean-Sebastien Giguere playing for the Leafs, Gustavsson was sent to the Marlies for a two-week conditioning stint.
Gustavsson was reportedly pulled early in the Marlies game due to an “elevated heart rate.”
Good. I’m sure the Islanders would love to have another medicore Swedish goalie with heart problems.
"Darroll can't see it, blind to the eyes;
He came up in your face OOPS POWE SURPRISE!"
Man-crushin' on #36 since he hit his "absolute ceiling" as a rookie in 2008.
medicore mediocre. Fixed.
Medicore is a form of hardcore punk played by EMTs and Army doctors.
"Darroll can't see it, blind to the eyes;
He came up in your face OOPS POWE SURPRISE!"
Man-crushin' on #36 since he hit his "absolute ceiling" as a rookie in 2008.
wow
what a rollercoaster it would be— waiver wire wonder to SCF to the Islanders
i’m just glad he has a contract, he earned it IMO
Peace out Leights...
It’s been real.
It’s been fun.
Can’t say it’s been real fun.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
This actually makes me wonder why the Islanders haven’t pulled a Pittsburgh yet with all these high draft picks they should be getting for being so crappy.
I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.
Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates
by Chemistry66 on Feb 9, 2011 6:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well, Dreger just tweeted that the Islanders got Al Montoya for a 6th. So that makes any hope of dealing Leighton to them we had nonexistent, yes?
Al Montoya. University of Michigan.
Booya.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
confusion
I absolutely love coming here to read what regular and not so reg posters have to say. I’m a die hard Flyers fan and it pays to come here and catch up- in facts and laughs.
HOWEVER!
There is a strange groupthink mentality when it comes to certain players. I can’t follow why certain hate-love mobs start.
I remember in the off season when EVERYONE was hating on Homer. All his transations were terrible and such…Well were in first place-like I said in the fall—-take at easy, lets see how it pans out. But no people wanted Holmgens head on a platter.
Then there was Shelly. The hate for him was formidable. Now its shifted because he won a fight and scored a goal. No he’s in.
Same goes with Leights. He saved our asses last year. Without him we would have fallen hard. Now- he dog shit.
What gives?
I think Leights IS the shit-especially coming in outta limbo like he did.
I think you’re misinterpreting a lot.
Homer has made some terrible moves, he was lucky to still be GM over the summer, and he is starting to improve. That doesn’t absolve him from all his mistakes. This team was always going to be very good, but what about next year? What about the Phantoms and player development?
I don’t hate Jody Shelley, I hate his contract (on Homer) and don’t believe his is necessary to team success.
I never liked Leighton, I especially didn’t like his contract (Homer again), but it doesn’t mean I want him to suffer in Adirondack when he could be a backup somewhere.
Mourning Gagne forever.
by ToddtheFox on Feb 9, 2011 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If you follow slow closely, you should be able to tell that the people who had problems and issues, still have them. You are just misrepresenting what they were, and how those people feel now by lumping everyone in to one boat and generalizing the problems/issues that people had.
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
I see. YEs def generalizing.
I think everyone should express their opinion. It just seems that it changes from one thread to another.
by Gonzotatcics on Feb 9, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
Like Paul Holmgren in June?
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
Eh. It’s different when you grab a guy off waivers. You aren’t “targeting” him so much as “taking”.
And what Lindbergh said.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
Does anybody think that the Flyers need to make any moves before the deadline?
I personally think that we are in pretty good shape overall (see: 1st in Conference). But others might see some possible areas for improvement.
Why can’t I have both???
:(
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
Why not?!?
Nik Zherdev + Marc-Andre Bourdon for Calvert.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
You Know? Nabakov has some Brass Cajones. First you demand more money than your valued, then you flip the proverbial bird at the league and run to the KHL to get paid big fat money and then Suck. You then want to come back into the NHL. Nabakov was also aware of the rules stating that from order of worst team #30 to the Best team #1 .. THE FLYERS .. ( just had to say that, it sounds so cool man ! ) to clear thru each team and it doesnt matter if the 12th team in the league wanted you initially, If the 27th team in the league claims you off the waivers, its only fair to them and to the league to keep the equal play in the league. Plus YOU (Nabakov) first said you wanted out and now you want back in? so its only fitting that you have to earn your way back into the league.
My Opinion of him has very much changed into a Negative Opinion.
FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! www.naawayland.com Robert Wilson
I agree. While I can understand not wanting to play for the Islanders, his attitude is poor. I don’t want him at the Flyers teaching Bob how to be a poor Russian goalie.
Mourning Gagne forever.
I’m going to go ahead and say I agree entirely. I don’t blame him for not wanting to play for the Islanders, and it’s certainly his choice not to – which, again, I can understand – but it really speaks to his arrogance. Ray Emery just wants a chance to play, and here Nabokov is given a chance to start any and every game he wants for the rest of the year, and he says “No”.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 9, 2011 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
He could play for the Islanders for a season and if he put up anywhere near respectable numbers he could be in line for a new contract next season. Doing it this way shows his arrogance and perhaps that he doesn’t believe that he could play well with the Islanders.
Mourning Gagne forever.
If he refuses to report to the Isles this year then the Isles control his rights for next year. He’s potentially screwing up the rest of (what’s left of) his career. And all because he doesn’t want to stay in a hotel and play hockey for 3 months w/ whomever.
It would be interesting to see how the Islanders treat him if he does decide to report at all.
Mourning Gagne forever.
Geoff Todd and mtitanic – These are all solid Great points. He is only screwing himself. He could come in and get picked up before the trade deadline or next season and there are other players who would be Dying to be in his Hockey Pads and skates. What a Dingus.
FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! www.naawayland.com Robert Wilson
Exactly. If he just sucks it up and plays the rest of the season he can get re-signed elsewhere for next season (but he’d probably bolt for the KHL again for more money and go through this again). But by getting suspended for the Islanders and refusing to report as mttitanic says they control him for next season.
I’m glad we never got him if he has this type of an attitude.
#1 Flyers Fan in New York
Good bye #12, you will always bleed Orange and Black.
by Lindbergh 31 on Feb 10, 2011 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Broad Street Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Adam Henrique sends New Jersey Devils to Stanley Cup Final with OT goal vs. Rangers (VIDEO)
- Watch Ilya Kovalchuk’s Game 6 goal for Devils, a.k.a. power-play porn (VIDEO)
- Devils look to eliminate Rangers in Game 6; Hal Gill’s broken tibia (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Conan O’Brien joins long list of LA media that don’t really know what’s going on with the Kings
- For Los Angeles Kings, when does rest become rust for Stanley Cup Final?
