Looks like goalie Michael Leighton’s services weren’t only unwanted by the Flyers but by the rest of the NHL as he went unclaimed after being put on waivers Monday.
The move means that the 29-year-old netminder will now report to the AHL Adirondack Phantoms -- the Flyers minor-league affiliate.
The Fly Guys had the luxury of moving Leighton after playing just one game following his return from injury because the Orange and Black already have two capable netminders in Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky.
That doesn’t mean shipping out Leighton was an easy decision.
“It’s something that we’ve thought about here over the last few days,” said GM Paul Holmgren Monday. “There’s really two reasons for doing this. One, it’s in the best interest of the Flyers at this time, and number two, it’s in the best interest of Michael. We need to get Michael playing at a higher level, and unfortunately when you have a goaltender situation like we have, it’s hard to do right now.”
And there was a third reason too. The Flyers should save $1.55 million against the salary cap this season, according to BroadStreetHockey blog.
The goalie-needy Islanders were looking at Leighton but passed on picking up his deal, Courier Post Flyer Files write Chuck Gormley reported.
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For now Leighton gives the Phantoms a Stanley Cup Final quality goalie and the Flyers seemed happy trying to go back the finals without Leighton in net.
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