Leighton is absolutely capable of being a backup on a contending team.
- MJL

Leighton's the better goaltender at this point, but Boucher's has more of what you want in a backup.

With that said, it's nice that they have both options now.

You mean some reasoning outside of his stats, his career, and the past 10 years of evidence?

Gotcha!
- Flyersgod

Yes! Players progress and get better. They improve over time. You're seriously going to look at the player a decade ago, as your reasoning? I'm looking at his most recent NHL play. As well as his play most recently in the AHL. It says' that he is capable of being a backup in the NHL.

What difference would that have made? We still lost.
- Flyersgod

That's not what you asked, you asked how much worse could he have done. And to answer your new question, the difference would be two Flyers wins.

Leighton's the better goaltender at this point, but Boucher's has more of what you want in a backup.

With that said, it's nice that they have both options now.
- Tomahawk

I think that Boucher has proven that he has the temperament, and is content as a backup. And is a positive on the team in that role. And all things being equal, I'd choose Boucher. But I don't know that to be the case.

Personally, I am just happy to be debating hockey again. Realistically, my worry is not the backup tender. If Bryz plays well, we'll be fine. I am worried about the D even with Foster. Mesz should take his time coming backand hopefully he can get back to where he was. Regardless, we REALLY need help at the deadline.
- Hextall271

Yeah the D i'm scared of the most.

I wish i could figure out what the long term plan is for our defense. We should be using our depth up front to set the D up for a few years.

Would also like to see what our plan is to replace Timonen.

Yes, I focus on his ability to play at a solid level when the games mean the most. When the competition is at his highest. Players progress over their careers. Leighton has shown that he is capable of playing goal in the NHL.

What evidence do you have that he is not a capable NHL backup Goalie?
- MJL

I've answered this 20 time already dude. Not sure why it's not sinking in over there. Not my problem though.

That's not what you asked, you asked how much worse could he have done. And to answer your new question, the difference would be two Flyers wins.
- BulliesPhan87

Fair enough.

Personally, I am just happy to be debating hockey again. Realistically, my worry is not the backup tender. If Bryz plays well, we'll be fine. I am worried about the D even with Foster. Mesz should take his time coming backand hopefully he can get back to where he was. Regardless, we REALLY need help at the deadline.
- Hextall271

Yup, exactly. Worrying about the third goalie in a shortened season is so far down the list of concerns. For all I know the Flyers made the trade and Boucher was a throw in for some depth at the position. Perhaps they really liked the D-man they got.

Yes! Players progress and get better. They improve over time. You're seriously going to look at the player a decade ago, as your reasoning? I'm looking at his most recent NHL play. As well as his play most recently in the AHL.
- MJL

My feeling is that his recent play in the A shows he's healthy and able to back up. As you say, he's different than he was 5 years ago..he's better.. He worked with Reese who got him to play a bit further back in the crease and use his size. That's when he started to play a lot better. If Bouch is healthy he's fine as a backup too.. Sometimes I trust the GM and say, they must see that both guys can do it and that's why they brought both of them back.

I've answered this 20 time already dude. Not sure why it's not sinking in over there. Not my problem though.
- Flyersgod

Well if that's your reasoning, you're entitled to that opinion. But in my opinion, it's not a legitimate reason, nor is it remotely close to showing that Leighton isn't capable of being a backup in the NHL.

Yup, exactly. Worrying about the third goalie in a shortened season is so far down the list of concerns. For all I know the Flyers made the trade and Boucher was a throw in for some depth at the position. Perhaps they really liked the D-man they got.
- PLindbergh31

That's the part of deal that intrigues me.. Hope we start drafting and acquiring D.

The goal Leighton gave up was bad but what goalie doesn't give up a stinker now and then? He had a good playoff and if Jeff Carter hits the net this all could have been moot. The fact that the goal was the decider in the Cup Final put it under the microscope. As a fan it touched a nerve because it was another reminder that the Flyers never seem to have the right goalie. Forget the debate on the merits of his record as a back up. I just didn't want to see him on the team any more because when I see his name I think of bad things. Whether it's fair to him or what's in the best interest of the team are different questions. From a PR and mental health standpoint, if I never head his name again it would have been too soon.

Yup, exactly. Worrying about the third goalie in a shortened season is so far down the list of concerns. For all I know the Flyers made the trade and Boucher was a throw in for some depth at the position. Perhaps they really liked the D-man they got.
- PLindbergh31

If Boucher wasn't traded for. And either Bryzgalov or Leighton got injured, who would the backup be? Depth is very important. And the goaltender is the most important position on the ice.

Yes! Players progress and get better. They improve over time. You're seriously going to look at the player a decade ago, as your reasoning? I'm looking at his most recent NHL play. As well as his play most recently in the AHL. It says' that he is capable of being a backup in the NHL.
- MJL

When games matter the most? He's played in 16 play off games.

He is 8-4 with .912 save % and a 2.5 GAA.

Boucher has played in 43 playoff games.

21-18-2 with .911 save % and a 2.36 GAA.

I'm not saying Boucher is the answer. All i'm saying is that Leighton is not a proven back up.

Well if that's your reasoning, you're entitled to that opinion. But in my opinion, it's not a legitimate reason, nor is it remotely close to showing that Leighton isn't capable of being a backup in the NHL.
- MJL

Of course. When stats prove you wrong its not a legitimate reason. When they prove you're right its the most legitimate reason on the face of the earth.

What difference would that have made? We still lost.
- Flyersgod

Hate to go over a painful memory again, but had carter just lifted the damn puck over niemi's blocker, they would have gone to game 7 and who knows. The basic point is that you can't say he was that horrible in '10 if he helped get us so close to the cup. I don't live the guy either, but he is a cheap back up for now and between him and booosh Bryz can have a couple nights off.

If Boucher wasn't traded for. And either Bryzgalov or Leighton got injured, who would the backup be? Depth is very important. And the goaltender is the most important position on the ice.
- MJL

If Lundqvist got injured who would the Rangers backup be? So every franchise has an NHL ready third guy to use? Who gives a flying (frank) who the third goalie is.

When games matter the most? He's played in 16 play off games.

He is 8-4 with .912 save % and a 2.5 GAA.

Boucher has played in 43 playoff games.

21-18-2 with .911 save % and a 2.36 GAA.

I'm not saying Boucher is the answer. All i'm saying is that Leighton is not a proven back up.
- Flyersgod

You can say he's not a proven backup, but you certainly haven't proven that he's not.

Look at what the player is right now, not 10 years ago, or 5 years ago, But right now. Because that is when he's on your team. Right now. Right now, Leighton is legitimate NHL backup Goalie.

Hate to go over a painful memory again, but had carter just lifted the damn puck over niemi's blocker, they would have gone to game 7 and who knows. The basic point is that you can't say he was that horrible in '10 if he helped get us so close to the cup. I don't live the guy either, but he is a cheap back up for now and between him and booosh Bryz can have a couple nights off.
- FlyersFirst

Hahah that's another one that's been debated. I can remember thinking HOW did Carts not bury that. Could have been tipped by Campbell etc, but whatever.

The goal Leighton gave up was bad but what goalie doesn't give up a stinker now and then? He had a good playoff and if Jeff Carter hits the net this all could have been moot. The fact that the goal was the decider in the Cup Final put it under the microscope. As a fan it touched a nerve because it was another reminder that the Flyers never seem to have the right goalie. Forget the debate on the merits of his record as a back up. I just didn't want to see him on the team any more because when I see his name I think of bad things. Whether it's fair to him or what's in the best interest of the team are different questions. From a PR and mental health standpoint, if I never head his name again it would have been too soon.
- 2731color

I didn't see this til after i posted. Agreed.

Yup, exactly. Worrying about the third goalie in a shortened season is so far down the list of concerns. For all I know the Flyers made the trade and Boucher was a throw in for some depth at the position. Perhaps they really liked the D-man they got.
- PLindbergh31

Woah, I didn't even know there was a trade. I figured we were just rerunning some favorite debates from the past few years

If Lundqvist got injured who would the Rangers backup be? So every franchise has an NHL ready third guy to use? Who gives a flying (frank) who the third goalie is.
- PLindbergh31

If you need that player to step up and play in an NHL game due to injuries, and you're trying to make the playoffs, you would give a flying you know what. There is a history of this, not that long ago.

Hahah that's another one that's been debated. I can remember thinking HOW did Carts not bury that. Could have been tipped by Campbell etc, but whatever.
- Hextall271

I was right behind the net 10 rows up. It felt like the sure thing. . . Until it wasn't

Woah, I didn't even know there was a trade. I figured we were just rerunning some favorite debates from the past few years
- BulliesPhan87

Nope, Boucher part deux x2.

Woah, I didn't even know there was a trade. I figured we were just rerunning some favorite debates from the past few years
- BulliesPhan87

Foster Boucher and a 2010 second rounder are in the fold!!

I think we shoudl now debate how Homer hates 2nd round picks..I wonder if alt gets flipped for a pick at the TDL