The Flyers waived playoff hero Michael Leighton yesterday, but there’s a good chance the 29-year-old goaltender could be back as soon as today.
If no other club claims Leighton within the next 24 hours, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said he would send him to the team’s minor-league affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms.
“I think at the end of the day, this is the best for the organization,” Holmgren said. “I think more than anything, he needs to get playing.”
Leighton has appeared in just one game this season, stopping 32 of 36 shots on Dec. 30. He missed seven weeks after undergoing back surgery early in the preseason.
With two healthy goalies on the roster — Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky — this was a no-brainer for the Flyers. Assuming Leighton clears waivers, he could be in Adirondack by noon today.
“This is a better way of getting everybody involved and playing,” Holmgren said.
