When he signed a 2 year, $3.1 million deal with the Flyers this offseason Michael Leighton thought he'd finally gotten everything he'd ever wanted. After years toiling in the minors and as a backup, it seemed Leighton had finally gotten a starting job and some stability. Unfortunately, many felt that Leighton was less than forthcoming about a back injury he was working through over the summer. The injury landed him on long term injured reserve to start the year.
↵In the meantime, Sergei Bobrovsky emerged, Brian Boucher played extremely well and Leighton became expendable. Now, instead of being the starting goalie for the top team in the East like he expected... he was waived, not picked up and is now back with the Adirondak Phantoms.
↵"The hardest part is once you think you have security in life it changes quick," he said. "It's tough. It's going to be tough on me and my family."
↵Flyers GM Paul Holmgren says it's the best move for both Leighton and Flyers.
↵"One, it's in the best interest of the Flyers at this time, and No. 2, it's in the best interest of Michael," he said. "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.
↵"We expect (Boucher and Bobrovsky) to continue to play well, and we need to get Michael playing at the level he can play at. It's unfortunate it has to come to this, but I think Michael's understanding of it."
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