The Canucks goaltending depth took a hit when they traded Anders Nilsson and lost Mike McKenna on waivers. They brought Leighton in on a PTO and he went 6-1-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .915 SV% in seven games so they signed him to remain there moving forward.
Leighton moves to his fourth AHL team of the season as he will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). Leighton has started 14 AHL games this season, allowing a combined 38 goals on 289 shots (.869 SV%).
Leighton is a veteran netminder who has spent the large majority of his recent years in the AHL. Last year he was excellent as a member of the Hurricanes organization, but has gone 3-3-2 with a 3.03 GAA and .868 SV% in nine starts with Syracuse (AHL).
Leighton, 36, has been a strong AHL netminder throughout his lengthy career, but has posted a 2.98 GAA and .900 SV% in 111 career NHL appearances. Leighton has posted a SV% above .918 in each of his last three AHL seasons and will help replace Kristers Gudlevskis, who was traded to the New York Islanders.
Leighton went down to get some playing time with Charlotte, because no one but Cam Ward is seeing time in Carolina. Leighton will return as the Hurricanes’ backup on Friday.
Daniel Altshuller was Cam Ward’s backup on Tuesday, but Leighton will take over that role until Eddie Lack is back from a concussion. Leighton has gone 8-5-0 with a 2.17 GAA and .923 SV% in 16 games with Charlotte and 2-1-0 with a 3.53 GAA and .875 SV% in three NHL games.
Leighton played OK when he was called upon during Eddie Lack’s 14-game absence with a concussion. With Lack activated from IR yesterday, Leighton returns to the AHL, where he has gone 7-2-0 with a 1.80 GAA and .933 SV% in 12 games.
Leighton went down to start with Charlotte on Friday, but was scheduled return, presumably to backup Cam Ward vs. the Sharks. Leighton has gone 1-1-0 with a 3.04 GAA and .893 SV% in two starts with Carolina and 6-2-2 with a 1.78 GAA and .932 SV% with Charlotte.
Leighton allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Hurricanes’ win over the Panthers on November 27th. It was a surprising performance by the veteran netminder, who has spent the majority of his career in the AHL. Despite a solid first start, Leighton draws a brutal matchup vs. the Rangers.
Leighton, 35, spent the las two season with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL)—the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate—he went 28-8-8 with a 2.44 GAA and .918 SV%. The 15-year veteran also appeared in one game with Chicago and has 35 career NHL wins while posting a 2.96 GAA and .901 SV% in 106 games.
Leighton will serve as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup in Columbus.
It is only speculation from the Philly media at this point. Check back closer to game time for the confirmed Flyers starter.
Leighton could see action Sunday against Buffalo.
Brian Boucher will be Bryzgalov's backup. Leighton isn't fantasy relevant.
Leighton has only started once this season and doesn't have any fantasy value as Ilya Bryzgalov will start the vast majority of games for the Flyers.
Early to tell, but if Leighton does play, he'll need to improve over his previous performances to be victorious on the road in Winnipeg.
Leighton will get his first start of the year tonight.
