Michael Leighton will play in Philly on Friday, also named AHL All-Star

by Travis Hughes on Jan 4, 2012 4:17 PM EST in Philadelphia Flyers News

Michael Leighton had a few good months in the NHL. He got a nice contract for pacing the Flyers all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010, but for much of his career, he's been a mediocre, backup-level NHL player. On the flip side, however, he is a downright great AHL-level goaltender, and that's good news for the Adirondack Phantoms.

In fact, if you attend a home game in Glens Falls, Leighton is worshipped by those fans. He's a very, very good goalie. That's why he'll get the start on Friday night when the Phantoms return to Philly for an outdoor game against the Hershey Bears at Citizens Bank Park, and that's why Leighton was also the lone Phantom to be named an AHL All-Star today.

The AHL All-Star Game will be held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Monday, January 30. The Skills Competition will be the night before, Sunday the 29th.

The amount of Phantoms players on the Flyers goes a long way to explaining why Leighton is the only one to be named an All-Star. Matt Read, Harry Zolnierczyk, Erik Gustafsson and Marc-Andre Bourdon are just a few guys who potentially could have made the All-Star team with full seasons in the AHL, but well.... they're in Philly instead.

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leights on

by fitzy first on Jan 4, 2012 4:23 PM EST reply actions

He really is a great AHL goalie, the Phantoms are lucky to have him.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions

True. Although Bacashua has played well also. He sounded great in that 12-round shootout last Friday.

by mtitanic on Jan 4, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

They make a good tandem IMO. Polar opposites. Leights is big, sits a little deeper because he isn’t the quickest, and tries to stay positionally sound. Bacs is small, quick, challenges, and makes acrobatic saves. I like the tandem a lot up there.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Is 1.5 million too much for the best goalie in the AHL?

Talbot 5 Nodl 0 11/7/2011

by chrislanci on Jan 4, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Depends on your revenue. If Snider is willing to keep signing checks for bad contracts and just eat them in the minors then so be it.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

The payroll used to be in the 90 millions pre lockout I don’t think money is or ever will be an issue with the team. Comcast had a 2011 annual revenue of 56.8 BILLION DOLLARS almost 1000x less than the current NHL salary cap. Spending the money is beyond insignificant to the ownership.

Talbot 5 Nodl 0 11/7/2011

by chrislanci on Jan 4, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

You didn’t specify the Flyers, hence, “depends on your revenue”. I brought up the Flyers because that seems to be their thought process; if it doesn’t work out, stash the cap hit in the minors and sign the checks. So for them, sure, for others maybe if that contract is for a developing top 5 pick and not a journeyman.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Umm … Comcast does have a few other expenses out of that revenue figure besides paying hockey salaries. Like, salaries of all their regular employees, maintenance of all their infrastructure, equipment, vehicles, etc, advertising, R&D, debt maintenance … don’t confuse ‘revenue’ with ‘profits’.

That said, they did report $943 million (not billion though) in profits last year. So your point about feeling bad for them is kinda valid.

Maxime Talbot - in the Orange and Black ... better than chocolate and peanut butter!

by MaximumTalbot on Jan 5, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

I can say from personal experience that they do not maintain their infrastructure. The underground line servicing my section of my neighborhood went bad and they didn’t care one bit. Everybody in the affected area switched to FiOS after a couple months of no service and no response.

But I digress…

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Jan 5, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Still feel bad for Leights… from the SCF to AHL All-Star Game.

What3v3r.

by ww2b on Jan 4, 2012 4:27 PM EST reply actions

On the plus side for him, he got a pretty big one way contract that guarantees him his NHL salary wherever he plays. From what I understand from Tim up there he is very professional as well. takes practices and training very seriously, prepares and works very hard. From all accounts, he is a great pro.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Glad to hear that. Even though Game 6 broke my heart, I’m still thankful for the crazy run that year that he was a part of.

What3v3r.

by ww2b on Jan 4, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah Game 6 was tough, but without him playing over his head for much of the season, the Flyers most likely don’t make the playoffs.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

At least he still gets to play and gets paid pretty well to do it. Could be worse.

"I wouldn’t run if there was a fire. I wouldn’t run anywhere. I hate running." - O. Munn

by doubleh on Jan 4, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly. I feel bad that he gets so much blame for the loss though. Chicago was, and still is a better team. I would have loved for a little more luck to get 2 more wins, but it wasn’t to be. But he did well for himself and his future financially with his performance that half a season, so it could be worse.

being obnoxious and self righteous while ignoring the point since 9/29/11

by DLJr on Jan 4, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Yep Blackhawks were really good last season if San Jose could have only scored a few goals in the WCF we could have them choke in the finals instead.

Talbot 5 Nodl 0 11/7/2011

by chrislanci on Jan 4, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

I endorse all of the above comments.

/s, more often than not

by flyersfaninchicago on Jan 4, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

It’s unfortunate that the schedule would prevent this, but Z, Bourdon, Rinaldo, et al could have been sent down for the Classic, then recalled. It would have given them the distinction of playing in 2 outdoor Classics in the same season.

by mtitanic on Jan 4, 2012 4:28 PM EST reply actions

Rinaldo, ~~et al~~ could have been sent down for the Classic, ~~then recalled~~.

Fixed.

Maxime Talbot - in the Orange and Black ... better than chocolate and peanut butter!

by MaximumTalbot on Jan 5, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

Leighton will always remind of me of the ‘10 finals. That was a tough year for me personally and when the Flyguys went and made history in the playoffs it was like chicken soup. Despite falling short I’ll always look back on Leighton and the ’10 players with a warm heart.

by blimblam on Jan 4, 2012 4:40 PM EST reply actions

Scared the S#!T outta me when you said he’d play in Philly.. good thing i read on.

by Jazzy85 on Jan 4, 2012 4:58 PM EST reply actions

Ditto.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Jan 4, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

In journalism school, they call that a hook. In being-a-Flyers-fan world, they call that being a jerk. I apologize.

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by Travis Hughes on Jan 4, 2012 6:10 PM EST up reply actions