Eh, I can't get worked up over Michael Leighton.

The penalty kill is so atrocious, I don't know how you judge any goaltender behind that mess.

I know it was the 3rd game in 4 nights, but that PK was just tissue paper soft.

No need to freak out guys....it is what it is, a crappy season. if they make the playoffs great, but i do not see them winning the cup. they really need to be sellers at the TDL if they are out of it this year. Im sure someone will take Briere and kimmo for picks/prospects....time to replenish this depleted farm....depth of this team on the blue line is non existent. Time to cut the deadweight at the end of the season (Lilja, Shelly, Walker).

Edit: LateTon is ok as a backup....He did his job in that game ... Albeit very poorly.

I do not understand the infatuation the Flyers organization has with Leighton. It boggles my mind.
- eayost

because some stepfords really like him

I do not understand the infatuation the Flyers organization has with Leighton. It boggles my mind.
- eayost

I don't have his numbers handy, but isn't Leighton routinely one of the best goaltenders in the AHL?

I'm not defending Leighton's talent; I think he's just adequate at best at the NHL level. I'm just trying to explain why the Flyers (and other teams....Leighton's been with a bunch of teams) bring him back.

Honestly, if you're blaming Leighton for the loss last night-or at least making him the primary scapegoat, you're either nursing a grudge or a moron.

He played poorly. So did everyone else on the team. I don't particularly care for Leighton, and his play was a factor. But he's not the guy that caused the loss.
- Jsaquella

I saw too many people last night bashing Leighton for allowing goals that they would have defended Bryz for allowing. Can't have that kind of hypocrisy. I've never been a Leighton supporter aside from the general rooting for our team (would never root AGAINST Leighton while he's on the Flyers). That Cup run was amazing but an anomaly for him. There is a reason he has had trouble nailing down a job as a BACKUP. He's more of a 3rd goalie. Nevertheless, I refuse to blame him for that loss. You can hardly blame him for the first 3 goals and by the time the 4th was scored the game was pretty much over.

Honestly, if you're blaming Leighton for the loss last night-or at least making him the primary scapegoat, you're either nursing a grudge or a moron.

He played poorly. So did everyone else on the team. I don't particularly care for Leighton, and his play was a factor. But he's not the guy that caused the loss.
- Jsaquella

Not even close.. he was terrible, but so were the 18 players in front of him.

No need to freak out guys....it is what it is, a crappy season. if they make the playoffs great, but i do not see them winning the cup. they really need to be sellers at the TDL if they are out of it this year. Im sure someone will take Briere and kimmo for picks/prospects....time to replenish this depleted farm....depth of this team on the blue line is non existent. Time to cut the deadweight at the end of the season (Lilja, Shelly, Walker).

Edit: LateTon is ok as a backup....He did his job in that game ... Albeit very poorly.
- Philly1980

I am not ready to give up on the season but if they do become sellers at some point they really need young D prospects to be part of the deal.

they were def going to lose last nite because of the effort, but don't underestimate the effect of knowing you have zero margin for error w/ that guy in net. it's disheartening to say the least.
- isaiah520

On the 4 minute PP, before the Lightning even scored, the Flyers spent the first two minutes being hemmed in their own end and being outworked by the Lightning's forecheckers.

That's not the fault of Leighton.

On the 4 minute PP, before the Lightning even scored, the Flyers spent the first two minutes being hemmed in their own end and being outworked by the Lightning's forecheckers.

That's not the fault of Leighton.
- Jsaquella

Neither were the lazy penalties, or the lazy backchecks, or the lack of energy from the entire team. And if the players on the ice let who was in net affect their play, which I don't think is the case, then shame on them. And that would also be on the skaters and not Leighton.

I don't have his numbers handy, but isn't Leighton routinely one of the best goaltenders in the AHL?

I'm not defending Leighton's talent; I think he's just adequate at best at the NHL level. I'm just trying to explain why the Flyers (and other teams....Leighton's been with a bunch of teams) bring him back.
- johndewar

There's a lot of guys who post good/great numbers in the AHL but they just don't translate to the NHL level. I think for him that's the step where the game becomes too fast for his natural abilities.

And let's all keep in mind, mentioning one player does not automatically mean that the 1 player is all of a sudden getting all of the blame for a lousy loss all around. People are simply critiquing that 1 player... it doesn't mean anyone else played well.

when the players get down here, it is like being on vacation with the sunny warm weather. I am sure they are in a very relaxed state...I was shocked they played so well against the panthers

winning the cup.
- Philly1980

Yikes, anyone who thinks that is even a possibility this year has some serious orange colored glasses.

Is it really necessary to call a guy "garbage"? Did he do something to your family?
- 2731color

Neither were the lazy penalties, or the lazy backchecks, or the lack of energy from the entire team. And if the players on the ice let who was in net affect their play, which I don't think is the case, then shame on them. And that would also be on the skaters and not Leighton.
- MJL

Funny how that always goes 1-way. The goalie affects the skaters, but the skaters are never said to affect the confidence of their goalie.

Neither were the lazy penalties, or the lazy backchecks, or the lack of energy from the entire team. And if the players on the ice let who was in net affect their play, which I don't think is the case, then shame on them. And that would also be on the skaters and not Leighton.
- MJL

Ill be honest, I think the refs had a bigger negative impact on the players than the goalie.

No need to freak out guys....it is what it is, a crappy season. if they make the playoffs great, but i do not see them winning the cup. they really need to be sellers at the TDL if they are out of it this year. Im sure someone will take Briere and kimmo for picks/prospects....time to replenish this depleted farm....depth of this team on the blue line is non existent. Time to cut the deadweight at the end of the season (Lilja, Shelly, Walker).

Edit: LateTon is ok as a backup....He did his job in that game ... Albeit very poorly.
- Philly1980

Both Kimmo and Briere have NMCs

On the 4 minute PP, before the Lightning even scored, the Flyers spent the first two minutes being hemmed in their own end and being outworked by the Lightning's forecheckers.

That's not the fault of Leighton.
- Jsaquella

as my post indicated. but why leighton is in this org, i'll never understand. he is a poor choice for b/u because he requires steady work to approach the level of an nhl tender.

No need to freak out guys....it is what it is, a crappy season. if they make the playoffs great, but i do not see them winning the cup. they really need to be sellers at the TDL if they are out of it this year. Im sure someone will take Briere and kimmo for picks/prospects....time to replenish this depleted farm....depth of this team on the blue line is non existent. Time to cut the deadweight at the end of the season (Lilja, Shelly, Walker).

Edit: LateTon is ok as a backup....He did his job in that game ... Albeit very poorly.
- Philly1980

I sort of agree with you, but let me take the flip side of things. Dumping Timmo and the others is no big deal in the long-term (they are all short term players). But would you be active in trading for one of the Anaheim forwards (UFA in the offseason)? If you don't, perhaps they go to another team and then that team re-signs for LT.

Just food for thought. I would love an upgrade at winger - more realistic IMO than a superstart D-man.

as my post indicated. but why leighton is in this org, i'll never understand. he is a poor choice for b/u because he requires steady work to approach the level of an nhl tender.
- isaiah520

I can mostly agree with this. Bill pointed that out in a summer blog.

I agree, but that's all water under the bridge now.
- Scoob

bridge over troubled water

as my post indicated. but why leighton is in this org, i'll never understand. he is a poor choice for b/u because he requires steady work to approach the level of an nhl tender.
- isaiah520

I saw an interesting tweet last night that suggested the Flyers kept Leighton on as back-up in order to lessen the pressure on Bryz. Basically, no matter how poorly Bryz played, the fans would always prefer him over Leighton. Intriguing thought to be sure although this seems too much of conspiracy theory to me.

- MBFlyerfan

In Philadelphia, "garbage" is an adoring term used for close family members.

as my post indicated. but why leighton is in this org, i'll never understand. he is a poor choice for b/u because he requires steady work to approach the level of an nhl tender.
- isaiah520

That is a valid argument. Perhaps the Flyers felt they owed him after he was a good soldier in going down to Adirondack and playing well, rather than being a source of trouble.

I saw an interesting tweet last night that suggested the Flyers kept Leighton on as back-up in order to lessen the pressure on Bryz. Basically, no matter how poorly Bryz played, the fans would always prefer him over Leighton. Intriguing thought to be sure although this seems too much of conspiracy theory to me.
- NickTheKid87

it works for me

I sort of agree with you, but let me take the flip side of things. Dumping Timmo and the others is no big deal in the long-term (they are all short term players). But would you be active in trading for one of the Anaheim forwards (UFA in the offseason)? If you don't, perhaps they go to another team and then that team re-signs for LT.

Just food for thought. I would love an upgrade at winger - more realistic IMO than a superstart D-man.
- Daman

How about a trade for Boedker & Yandle from Phoenix in order to recreate the deal that brought in LeClair & Desjardins?