We got Leighton..!!

[mscaniac]

AHL’s goaltender of the year in 2008 will join Carolina on two-year, one-way contract

RALEIGH, NC—Ron Francis, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed goaltender Michael Leighton to a two-year contract. The deal will pay Leighton $600,000 per season in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

“Michael had an outstanding year with Albany last season, and also handled himself well during his time on the NHL level,” said Francis. “He has earned a role on our team going forward and we feel confident in our goaltending situation with him and Cam Ward between the pipes.”

Leighton, 27, completed his seventh season of professional hockey in 2007-08, spending most of the season with the Hurricanes’ top minor-league affiliate, the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared in three games with Carolina, registering a 1-1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average on the NHL level. Leighton (6’3’’, 186 lbs.) was 28-25-4 in 59 regular-season games for the River Rats, with a 2.10 goals-against average and seven shutouts. The Petrolia, Ont., native led the AHL in saves (1,634), save percentage (.931) and shutouts (7), and ranked second in the league in minutes played (1,634) and tied for second in goals-against average (2.10). He set Albany franchise regular-season and playoff records for shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage. At the conclusion of the AHL’s regular season, he was named the winner of the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding goaltender for the 2007-08 season, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media. He was also named a First-Team AHL All-Star.

Leighton was heroic during Albany’s seven-game Calder Cup playoff series against Philadelphia, stopping 304 of 314 shots (.968 save percentage) and posting a 1.18 goals-against average and two shutouts. He made an AHL-record 98 saves during Game 5 against the Phantoms, as the two teams played the longest game in league history, a 3-2 Philadelphia win in five overtimes. He then helped Albany rebound by stopping all 40 shots he faced in a 1-0 overtime victory in Game 6, before the River Rats finally succumbed to the Phantoms in a 2-0 Game 7 loss at Philadelphia.

A sixth-round draft choice of the Chicago Blackhawks (165th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Leighton has appeared in 50 career NHL games with Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia and Carolina, earning an 11-24-10 record with a 3.01 goals-against average.[/quote]

Link:
hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?...ticleid=365591

[dewaltgirl]

I'm glad we have an inexpensive backup, but I'm not sold on the goaltending duo of Ward/Leighton. I hope I'm wrong, really hope I'm wrong but Leighton has had NHL chances before and still ended up in the A. Cam needs someone backing him up that can be that go-to guy when he's off (and Cam can be off quite a bit). Please please please let these guys work out!

[jazzowness]

Yea, I am a little worried about that too, but I hope it will work out well. Leighton can probably push Wardo a little more than any available vetran. We will just have to wait and see...

[mscaniac]

I'm with you 100 percent DG.. I would have much rather have had a veteran NHL backup.. but the price we are paying Leighton is good.. my fingers are crossed that our D is beefed up enough by the time the season starts that the goalies may not be so much of an issue.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

I can understand the want of an NHL caliber backup, but look at what the price differential would be.

And how will Leights ever get the chance to become a legit NHL goalie unless someone takes a chance on him at this level? We're giving him that shot.

[dewaltgirl]

He's HAD chances at the NHL level! That's what has me worried.

www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=42501

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

Ok, I see your point.

But he's never gonna get any better up here until he finds some consistency with a team-- i.e. not being bounced back and forth between NHL and AHL.

I'm gonna keep an open mind with the kid and give him benefit of the doubt until he proves me otherwise.

But not to worry. Cam hasn't lost his #1 spot, so it's not like we have someone brand spankin' new between the pipes.

[dewaltgirl]

But he's never gonna get any better up here until he finds some consistency with a team-- i.e. not being bounced back and forth between NHL and AHL.

I very much agree with this statement, and it magnifies why I'm worried about him on the Canes. Cam certainly hasn't lost his #1 spot but he just does not appear to be the type of goaltender who can carry as many starts as needed. Not to mention, Leights could learn from a much more experienced goaltender. Cam is still too young and learning to be that mentor to Leights and it certainly doesn't work the other way around. The duos of Conklin/Fleury, Turco/Smith, etc come to mind. There's a mentor and a 'tender still learning the ropes. In those two cases, both scenarios of who is the starter and who is the backup are shown. I LIKE Leights and I think he has great potential. I just worry that THIS team is not the right fit as long as we have a crapshoot in net with Cam.

All that said, if we can shore up the D and get Timmy signed and make a trade for another shutdown d-man, it could all work out wonderfully.

[mscaniac]

Very well put..^^ and I agree 100 percent.. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the last scenario.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

^^ Exactly.

I think the worrying over Leights is getting a bit exaggerated. He's not going to be the only one on the ice. If we've got some defense that can help him out, and as he learns to get comfortable, he'll do just fine.

[300section]

I'm glad we have an inexpensive backup, but I'm not sold on the goaltending duo of Ward/Leighton.

Yeah, this is why I'm not super excited about Leighton being here full-time right now...I wanna see what he's gonna do for long periods of time here at the NHL level. My Dad always said, "the proof's in the pudding". We shall see.

[StanleyCupChamps]

-walks in-
I have total confidence in Leights. And IMO, he's already a step up from JG.
:/
-walks out-

[300section]

We'll see what happens while he's own here w/ the big boys of the NHL.

[mscaniac]

The Canes have assigned Leighton to Albany.

[dewaltgirl]

I knew it was coming but I worry about what it's going to do to the Rats now. Murphy and Peters were working VERY well together. Is Murphy going down to the E now? *sigh*

Outside the hockey aspect of it, this stinks big time for Mike since Christmas is right around the corner and he and Mrs. Leights have a new baby AND a toddler....