Canes Country Exit Analysis: Michael Leighton
by Bob Wage on Aug 11, 2009 10:30 AM EDT
in 2008-09 Exit Analysis
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It is often said that the goaltender position is the toughest to play in all of sports. But what about backup goalie? Some might say that is the easiest, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is very difficult to prepare mentally when you rarely know for sure when you are going to play. And if the starting goalie gets hot, it could be a month before you get a sniff of the ice again.
That is what happened to Michael Leighton last season.
This past season, Leighton had some good moments, and some not so good ones. The highlight of the year was probably in February when he scrambled his way to a 4-3 shoot out win over the Sharks in San Jose. The lowlight, when he allowed four goals in the third period against Philadelphia as the Canes blew a four goal lead and ended up losing in a shoot out to the Flyers, last December.
Leighton has been around the block a few times, even if he does not have a ton of NHL experience. He was originally drafted in 1999 by the Chicago Blackhawks and got his break in 2003-04 as he started 34 games for the Hawks and went 6-18. The following year he was traded to Buffalo, but then was signed as a free agent by Anaheim the year after that. The Ducks put the goalie on waivers early in 2007 and he was claimed by the Preds, who also put him on waivers later in the season. Then he was claimed by the Flyers. Later in the year, the Flyers put him back on waivers and he was then claimed by Montreal. (Is that some kind of a record?)
The Hurricanes acquired him from Montreal for a 7th round draft pick, then assigned him to the AHL where he was an all star for Albany and was one of the best goalies in the league. Last off season, the Canes rewarded him with a two year NHL contract so he could be full-time backup for Cam Ward.
The Good: Leighton has a big, 6'3 frame and takes up a lot of room in the net. He has excellent fundamentals and is a very hard worker. He has never complained about his role and stays late most practices to help the shooters work on their skills. He was an improvement over previous backup John Grahame.
The Bad: He needs to be more consistent. It seems like the coaching staff lost confidence in him last year as they rode Cam Ward exclusively for the last month of the season, almost to the point of over-playing him. His stats were not very good and I think everyone is looking for a better year from him this coming season.
The Money: Leighton is in the final year of his two year deal which pays him $600,000 annually.
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I gave Leights a solid B. He wasn’t spectacular by any means, but he was there when we needed him to be. He did a better job than Grahame did the previous two seasons combined and it was nice to know that if the backup was in the net, we wouldn’t necessarily need to score 8+ goals to win. I don’t really blame him for his inconsistency since his ice time, and the team in front of him, was inconsistent. But most of all, I am proud of the way he handled himself all season long. It had to be hard going from the star in Albany to sitting on the bench behind a very good starter. But not once did he complain or make it about himself. He was a true team player and it was clear that he and Cam supported each other. Plus I’m afraid that if I give him a bad grade, I’ll suffer the same fate as Cam did during the lockout. ;)
Same fate as Cam
Wow, I never would have expected that from either of them…
How did I never know about that?
by Andrea's evil twin on Aug 11, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
That video is like a visit to an alternate reality populated by “evil twins”…
(maybe another way to market Vegas)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
B
.400 hockey for a backup isn’t aweful, but yeah, I think we all expected more from him after that awesome season with Albany.
I almost commented without fully reading the article, but Bubba touched on what I wanted to say in the bad section. I think part of why Cam plays so many games is the coaching staff has close to zero confidence in Leighton’s ability to provide solid goaltending in relief. I don’t know if I want to give him lower than a C, because honestly, what are we expecting from the guy? Really though, I think Cam maybe has a little more gas in him in the playoffs if he doesn’t have to start so many games down the stretch.
I gave him a B for taking on a job nobody wants and providing the time is does at practice for the skaters. If it was just about his time in goal I’d have given him an “incomplete”.
We could do worse (there are lots of overpaid goalies playing about as much as Leighton did in the NHL).
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions
Really? I bet there were a lot of goalies who would’ve loved to be in the NHL last year.
by Cory Lavalette on Aug 11, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
But then why are we praising Leighton for his good attitude instead of complaining about lack of minutes? (Why doe the name Heatley come to mind?)
He has never complained about his role
This is a hard guy to evaluate because his primary role is more behind-the-scenes than the other 22 guys on the roster….
Didn’t mean to sound flippant. but it seems like It’s a mixed bag of a job description – I perceive that professional athletes want to compete, be in the game, play when it matters, adrenaline junkies. Leighton’s season turned out to be a glorified practice goalie and Cam’s ever-positive cheerleader – perhaps all he earned, but this is hardly a thrilling stint after that great season in Albany. I guess it beats the bus rides around New England. This assignment is an opportunity for him to make an impression and perhaps make the leap to a more regular NHL gig, but not likely a perfect situation for him “as is”. Does he dream of becoming the next Tim Thomas?
Building on what Bubba pointed out in his opener, when he does get the call, he’s so rusty, and probably nervous because such opportunities are so limited, I doubt we’re seeing the best he can do. That can’t be fun to go through in front of a crowd of critics. Mental torture, if you ask me.
Agreed – there is a plethora of unsigned goalies out there right now, all of whom might be glad to have this kind of assignment and contract. Better than nothing at all in the NHL.
Is this a typical problem – too many goalies – in the NHLor have there just been a lot of young kids come in to “flood the market” of late?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
considering his salary, he didn’t do badly. One thing that got a lot of people riled up about Grahame was that he was making so much money and never lived up to it.
I think you are getting pretty much what you pay for with Leighton, but there is room for improvement if he wants a better contract in the future. At this point, he might not get re-signed in 2010.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I have assumed Leighton is the bridge to get us thru to Murphy or Peters maturing enough and ready to play in Raleigh. A young goalie could do worse than to be behind Cam Ward and having daily sessions with Barasso.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Fixed:
At this point, he might will not get re-signed for ’10.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 12, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I gave him a C. I think a lot of Leighton’s problems where that he sat so much. He is just like Cam, and needs to play consecutive games to get in a rhythm… but he never really got much of a shot at that. He won us some games on his own, and he lost us some games on his own…
I think he has the potential to be a better then decent backup, but apparently he hasnt found it yet- as he has been shipped around SO much.
by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 11, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions
Short leash
I think Michael is on a short least next season. We’re going to have a lot of back to backs and fewer breaks next season due to the Olympics. We’ll need a capable backup to keep Cam rested for the playoffs. IMO, if Leighton struggles the Canes will go after a veteran goalie.
Still not a crook!
Secondary assists
Off-topic, but apparently when Bubba played the ol’ “Secondary Assist” card when discussing Backstrom’s inferior play compared to Staal on Packpride17’s "Top 10 in the SE Div " Fanpost last week, he inspired the blogger at Japers Rink to produce amazing graphs and analysis under the heading:
Primary thoughts on secondary assists
Man!! – August is the longest month.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions
D
I gave him a D. I had great expectations for him based on his previous MVP season. Yeah, he was better than J.Grahme but so what. The fact is, Leighton coulda/shoulda played better. Cam went down early and Leighton was average at best. His later spot starts were weak. His game with Philly was embarrassing. Every NHL season goalies go down and some backups do great and earn starting jobs. He did not. Think of S.Clemmensen or C.Anderson. I give him another season based on how well he did in the minors. But he needs to improve or he’s gone at the trade deadline.
I gave him an A.
In the last four games of the season (the most important ones against Pittsburgh) he played just as good as Cam Ward… Even though he never made it on to the ice…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Aug 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions
So what grade will you be giving Cam?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I have no problems w/ Cam…. Just that he should not have been playing in at least the last two games….
But that is more of a coaching decision….. Cam Ward was injured and should not have been playing….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Aug 11, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Kinda hard to stop shots when you have what seem to be immobile traffic cones for defensemen.
Whole team sucked hard that series.,
Everyone always says: “It starts w/ goaltending….”
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Aug 11, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
"Everyone" is stupid.
When you have to face three breakaways a game, Patrick Roy can’t win a game for you.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 12, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
What?
What are you even talking about?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 12, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I gave him a ‘B’. I’m very conflicted, because I don’t know if he wasn’t played more down the stretch because he wasn’t consistent enough, or whether he wasn’t consistent enough because he wasn’t played more down the stretch.
Outside of the San Jose game, my other favorite Michael Leighton moment was the 3-1 win against the Caps at the RBC Center on December 7th, and the roar from the crowd when he stoned Ovechkin’s penalty shot. Huge win for us at a critical stage of the season.
Did anyone else have this impression?
I got the impression (from Forslund or the N&O? last Spring) that they were playing Cam more because he (Cam) really wanted that regular heavy schedule. And so Leighton’s ice time was sacrificed to keep #30 feeling good and solid. I didn’t think that long stretch of games with Ward in goal came from Mo or JR’s lack of confidence in Leighton. Unfortunately, in May vs the Pens, we found out Cam needs to be careful what he wishes for.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 11, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
^This. Leights’ stats can be really misleading since most of his work came when the team in front of him couldn’t do anything properly. Plus I don’t think that it would have mattered anyway. They were going to play Cam as much as possible and I don’t blame them. If you’re fighting for a playoff spot, how can you justify not going with your number #1 as much as possible? Then, once the spot was clinched, IMO, the coaches wanted Cam on a roll heading into the playoffs. If your number one goalie says he’s fine and good to go (which Cam did repeatedly), how do you argue with that? Plus I don’t really feel that Cam’s play in the ECF was due to fatigue; that injury in Game 1 was what did him in IMO.
Hot Wardo or lack of confidence?
Could be a combination of both. Ward was hot and playing very well, but down the stretch it might be pushing it to play your top goalie on back to back nights, (unless you have to), and that happened twice in March. I think Ward set a record for himself with about 25 straight starts. Seems like a lot, but it worked out.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I do think it was a combination of both which may or may not be due to Leights’ play earlier in the season. I would only argue that in this particular case it may have been necessary to play Cam both back to backs. I checked the schedule from that month and saw we lost the first set of back to backs (against Dallas and Chicago) followed by a loss against Washington. I think if we had won any of those three games, you may have seen Leighton take the one of the two against either the Isles (probably this one) or the Caps. And if I remember correctly, Mo even said something prior to the Chicago game about getting Leighton in there, but then when we lost three in a row, he probably figured he couldn’t risk it (which again may be due to lack of confidence in him-oh dear it’s a never ending cycle).
Can it be some of each?
Sure, Cam (like a lot of elite goalies) plays well when he knows it’s his team and he’ll only be sitting if it’s his choice. But would the team be less willing to let him make that choice if there were a more accomplished guy behind him. I’d certainly imagine so.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 12, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I gave him a 'B'.
I agree with Bubba for the money he did a decent job. Lets not forget we did not have the luxury of NOT playing Ward at the end of the season like other teams did because we squeeked into the playoffs late in the season. If we had played Leighton when Ward was hot and we needed the points to get in the playoffs and then lost out of the playoffs because of it, Leighton would have been the scapegoat for the rest of the team not playing well (this is based on IF we had not made the playoffs). Our poor performance earlier in the season was a team failure, just like the spectacular performance at the end was a team effort, with Cam outshining all players on the team IMO. Hindsite is 20/20, but I agree it was a mistake to play Cam in the 2nd and 3rd games of the Pens series, with the coaching staff aware of his back strain in the Boston series. That was clear when he could not stop that last goal against the Pens, it wasn’t he should have stopped that goal, it’s the fact that his back injury would not let him reach up to stop that goal. My heart sank and went out to him that game, he was put in a bad postion to have to play that game. He got an A for effort in my book.
Those 2 weeks Cam was out with a “groin injury”, Leighton played pretty good consistantly and then blew it on the Philly game, if we had won that game, his season would have been entirely different IMO. That embarrasing game was his downfall for the rest of the season. I love Cam and would give him an A for the overall season and playoffs, but lets not forget he lost us a few games with 5 goals, but I don’t believe he had any games he lost it like that in the 3rd period. Yes, it was very embarrasing.
I appreciated Leighton’s team first attitude when he was not allowed to play for so many games. He showed a lot of class for a back up goalie in my book.
C
I gave a B
He lost four in a row at the end of the last coaches tenure. the team as a whole was playing pretty badly then, and certainly not doing the goalies any favors with the lack of team defense. I was actually at his debut game verse Atlanta i january ‘08. My first thought when I saw a back up (who I hadn’t heard of) in I thought “Ohboy, they don’t want this game.” Atlanta scored a couple of quick goals. When the crowd did the goalie chant I thought, “well, they have a point.” But then something strange happened. The Canes came back and won the game. I have been a fan ever since.
I always thought we rode Cam so much because of our lack of defense, not because of a lack in the skills of the backup goaltender. As a back up I like what he brings to the team-a good attitude and a 50/50 chance of winning.
Leighton's play was average, his attitude was spectacular
The main improvement, in my eyes, over Grahame is that Leighton is not a jackass! There was never any talk about him going to the coaching staff and demanding (read whining for) a chance to play only to bow it. IMO Grahame was JR’s worst signing since the lockout.
Leighton’s attitude and work ethic, by all accounts, is stellar. You have to be the ultimate team player to be a backup goalie in the NHL. Although, I was a little disappointed in his play at times this year, as discussed above, all in all he did an average job. Unfortunately, we need an above average performance from him when called upon. Another benefit of adding Aaron and Alberts is that the d-corp should be much stronger in front of the net and in their own zone; this should make it easier on both Cam and Leighton. Allowing both to develop confidence and rhythm for the coming season.
by SouthernHockeyFan on Aug 12, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions
why would u give the guy a B
he was a huge disapointment lucky wards awesome and we dont have to play the back up as much i gave a D
Facts.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 15, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
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