Leighton on Waivers

[livinthedream]

Per the tweet that just came out from Bob McKenzie.

TSNBobMcKenzie: Leighton on waivers because Cam Ward is expected back this week. Ward is likely to start on Wednesday.

[superdave]

Yes, a decision that wasn't all money.

[caneshockeychick]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SoCalcaniac]

It's too bad, but not surprising. I think Legace made a case for himself, and I don't think Leigton did himself any favors on that 3rd goal vs WSH.

Someone might pick him up, you never know.

[StormChaserBH]

I think it may be a short-term deal just to keep Manny around until they make sure Cam's back in the groove and playing his usual big workload. Then I still think they pinch the pennies, and deal or demote Legace.

[c-girl]

Not surprised at all.

[e2ipiand1]

The poll on Canes Country was running at 78% to keep Manny and put Leighton on waivers.

[SC06]

I feel for him, but getting injured as soon as you get your chance to step up didn't help him at all. I really liked Manny the other night and I am glad that he will be around for a while longer.

[Captain Slack]

Figured this was going to happen after they signed Manny. I hope someone picks up him up & he gets a legit shot at being a starter. The potential is there, but it won't happen here.

[KaniacFever]

Can't say I'm surprised.

I'm sure he'll get picked up. Didn't he get picked up like 2-3 times in one year before we got him?

[ButtersSaysNo]

For Michael, I really hate it since he has a newborn. However, I think it is the better move for the team. Hope things end up working out for Michael and his family.

[Kat]

I called this one last night. Not even remotely surprised.

[livinthedream]

JR weighs in (http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=508972)

Although the Hurricanes placed goaltender Michael Leighton on waivers today, General Manager Jim Rutherford said the team has yet to make a final decision on who will become the team’s backup goaltender.

The Canes will have to choose between Leighton and Manny Legace for the spot if Cam Ward returns from a leg injury as expected on Wednesday. However, Rutherford said that a reassignment of either goaltender to Albany was not imminent, even though the team favors Legace at this point.

“We haven’t made a decision. We’ll take it a step at a time,” said Rutherford. “At this point in time, we’ve identified Manny ahead of Michael, and that’s the way we’ll go for now.”

If Leighton clears waivers on Tuesday at noon, the Canes would then have 30 days to reassign him without having to place him on waivers again. Rutherford indicated today that he intends to use that window to further evaluate the position.

“Cam is coming off an injury where he’s been off for a long time, and we’ll have to see how long it takes him to be comfortable again,” said Rutherford. “I wouldn’t think that we would reassign (Leighton) immediately.”

[cmw00]

JR is probably hoping he gets claimed and doesn't have to deal with any "decision" making.

[superdave]

JR is probably hoping he gets claimed and doesn't have to deal with any "decision" making.

If nothing happens, he can try the same thing with Legace if he wants and try to shed the salary. I think he feels somebody would claim Legace and would rather have Leighton claimed. I'd like to see Legace opening the bench door next year.

[Kat]

I just don't see Leighton being claimed... 4.29GAA and .84 save percentage aren't very good stats, regardless of any argument you might give about rustiness and poor defensive play in front of him.

[superdave]

I just don't see Leighton being claimed... 4.29GAA and .84 save percentage aren't very good stats, regardless of any argument you might give about rustiness and poor defensive play in front of him.

Which is why I'm happy it's him and not Legace

[Alicia]

I like Leighton and everything, but I have more confidence with Manny in goal, particularly during OT/SO situations.

[superdave]

I like Leighton and everything, but I have more confidence with Manny in goal, particularly during OT/SO situations.

Manny remembers where the goal is and doesn't wander too far away. I like that.

[KaniacFever]

I just don't see Leighton being claimed... 4.29GAA and .84 save percentage aren't very good stats, regardless of any argument you might give about rustiness and poor defensive play in front of him.

I haven't confirmed but I heard LeClaire (Sens) is hurt. If he's out for any amount of time, they might pick him up as their 3rd string goalie isn't all that ready for NHL, so I hear.

[c-girl]

Leclaire is hurt. He broke his cheek bone on November 23 - puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. He had surgery and is out four weeks. He can't get his mask on his head so he can't play but he's skating.

[livinthedream]

Leighton has officially cleared waivers per a tweet that just came out from Chip.

[KaniacFever]

And now things get interesting.

[FinFan]

Leighton's injury might have been worse than he thought, which would explain his play. Manny has been hurt, too. I don't think we've had a healthy goalie this year at all. I just hope Cam is ready to go tomorrow. It's always fun watching him trying to out-stop Marty. Those great pad saves they made in the playoffs... I want to see that again from a Canes goalie (with the #30 on his back. ;))!

[cmw00]

Ray Emery is hurt and out six weeks also now. Maybe they need to rewaive him? :lol:

[c-girl]

Or maybe JR's working a trade right now. Leighton for picks or pucks or something.

[livinthedream]

Canes just tweeted that Leighton has been assigned to Albany.

[NCCaniac42]

Canes just tweeted that Leighton has been assigned to Albany.

Does this mean that Murphy has been sent somewhere?? Peters had a Shut Out last night and has been GREAT in net!!

[superdave]

Canes just tweeted that Leighton has been assigned to Albany.

Makes me wonder if somebody wants him at half price.

[LeslieK]

update from Chip via twitter
Leighton says he's going on re-entry waivers Sunday.

ETA: from Canes Now (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/leighton-sent-to-albany):
Here's what he told the media after the Rats' game:

“The plan was I was going to go on re-entry waiver. That’s what went on today, but the league refused it, so tomorrow I’m going to be on re-entry. It’s kind of wait and see. If I don’t get picked up, I go back up to Carolina, and they’ve got to figure something out from there. If I don’t clear, then I’m going somewhere else.

“I know Carolina’s got their thing sorted out. I’m not going to get many games there. I’m a free agent after this year, and I just want to find somewhere where I can play some hockey. Whether it’s in the NHL or the AHL, I’ve got to find the right fit for me. Whether I get picked up by another team or get loaned to another AHL team, it just comes down to playing hockey, and that’s all I want to do right now.

“I just want a chance to play. I was getting one game at a time. I’m not overly happy with the way things went up there and the way I played, but if I get a chance to play in the AHL, I just want to play well and get as many games as I can. Next year I’m going to be looking for a job. If I play 10 games all year, teams aren’t even going to look at me. I need to play lots of games, and if I get loaned to another team and play 30 or 40 games, I’ll look forward to that.”

[livinthedream]

That's really sad. I feel for Leighton. He's a nice guy. He sounds defeated/resigned.

[Canesluver]

He's a big boy. He'll get over it.

[livinthedream]

Yeah, I'm sure you're right. I'm sure he needs no empathy from me. I still feel for the guy though. I wish him well.

[SoCalcaniac]

I have empathy; Leighton's a good dude. He's had a chance here, it didn't go the way he hoped, and gotta wish him the best. he may just get that chance he's hoping for.

[Caniac4life]

I think the backhand goal by Backstrom into the empty net he left vacant sealed the deal for him here. That was beyond an ugly goal.

[ontheboards]

Leighton's gig with the big club came because of his stellar performance while with Lowell/Albany under Tom Rowe. His skills never translated as a back up in the NHL--it takes him too long to get in a rhythym/groove. He's just one of those guys not good enough to be in the NHL. He's better suited for the AHL or perhaps Europe. It's not the saves, it's the goals that will kill the net minder.

[livinthedream]

Got the tweet from Chip that Leighton is officially on re-entry waivers.

[toastmasterbone]

Whoo! And I claimed him! Dude's inside, cleaning the kitchen right now, because he promises to make his "Leighton up the start of your day" waffles before he takes my son to school!

Suh-weeeeet! I so rule!

[WillLikeWhoa091]

It's true, I loled.

[livinthedream]

Wow, Toast, your posting record this season must really suck in order for you to claim him before anyone else could.

[Canesluver]

Well... his family DID get sick from eating all those tainted Eggo multi-grain waffles he'd been feeding 'em.

[superdave]

Whoo! And I claimed him! Dude's inside, cleaning the kitchen right now, because he promises to make his "Leighton up the start of your day" waffles before he takes my son to school!

Suh-weeeeet! I so rule!

Keep an eye on him, he tends to wander around a bit. He'll lose concentration and leave the kitchen unmanned and burn those waffles.

[cmw00]

I am more concerned about Leights taking Toast's kids to school. Make sure he can stop the vehicle.

[toastmasterbone]

You were all so right.

#1: My posting does suck this year, as it tends to follow the way the Canes perform. To wit, sometimes I start off strong, and then I can't then for to maybe and then sometimes

[toastmasterbone]

but I try to finish strong enough to make it look like I might know what I'm doing, but it's usually too late.

And damn if he didn't wander around in the kitchen... waffles burned. I tossed him a fire extinguisher, he turned the wrong way to catch it, and it hit the sink quite cleanly. The blender is in the oven. My 3-legged cat is in the refrigerator.

Got a call from my 6-year-old son a few minutes ago. They're in Charlottesville, so my son is driving them back to Mebane.

I wish I'd asked y'all before I did any of this.

[NCCaniac42]

OMG Toast, I have officially snorted and laughed so hard my nose is running!!! Thanks for the good giggle.

BTW.. don't let him walk the dog either.

[Canesluver]

According to the team's tweet, Leighton was claimed on re-entry by Philadelphia. Guess he's making waffles for Lavi's kids, now. :beatup:

Good luck, Michael!!

[caneshockeychick]

Interesting. well, good luck to him then.

[KaniacFever]

I told the people I was with last night that by noon today, Leighton would be a flyer. With Emery out for an extended period of time, they had to do something. Boucher is terrible. Leighton will be a slight upgrade over him. Although, I think I'm gonna have to come to terms that neither one of my teams will be playoff bound this year :(

[ButtersSaysNo]

Hope it works out for Michael. At least in the mid-term, he is not that far away from his wife and kids.

[Solracer]

According to the team's tweet, Leighton was claimed on re-entry by Philadelphia. Guess he's making waffles for Lavi's kids, now. :beatup:

Good luck, Michael!!

Toast let him out of the Kitchen... doh!

Good Luck Michael!

[Darkwing]

re-entry waivers or regular waivers? just curious how responsible we will be for his salary =D

[superdave]

Good for him. At least he'll have a chance to show if he has it or not.

[nccanes]

re-entry waivers or regular waivers? just curious how responsible we will be for his salary =D

reentry

[RONNIE FRANCHISE]

WOW! First Grahame gets an AHL tryout with the Flyers :laugh: and now Leighton goes there. Too Funny! :spin:

[Alicia]

Best of luck to him!

[Captain Slack]

Best of luck, Mike!

[livinthedream]

I'll miss him here but wish him all the best! He's a good fellow. Glad he's found a place to land.

[goalie33]

The Flyers are all about recycling goalies this season. Canes junior?

[JohnH]

Thanks and good luck, Michael!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Hope it works out for Michael. At least in the mid-term, he is not that far away from his wife and kids.

That's what I had thought. Still has a fairly new baby, right?

I'll miss watching him line-up that shot and send the puck into the other team's net from behind our net during warm-ups. Good luck, Leights!

So, I know we're off the hook for half his salary. Does he count at all towards the cap for us?

[wa10]

So, I know we're off the hook for half his salary. Does he count at all towards the cap for us?

nhlnumbers.com seems to be updated. Cap hit looks to be 224k. Given Legacy's salary (500k with a cap hit of 399k), it's almost a wash (399k + 224k = 623k where Leighton was scheduled to make 600k).

[ssangste]

the $224K is the amount we've paid him and his cap hit before the waiver situation.

That means Philly is on the hook for half of his remaining salary/cap hit: (600-224)/2 = $188K. We pay his salary to date and take the cap hit on the the other half of his salary fro the rest of the year (224 + 188 = $412K salary and cap hit for this year).

A very cheap option relatively speaking for Philly to get a goalie for $188K for the rest of the year...

[ButtersSaysNo]

Just wait until he shuts us out on 26 Dec.