BROWNNOSE
BOOTLICKER
Mid Season Blues
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Three into two won't go
You don't need the calculative mind of Stephen Hawking to decipher that this equation never works.
Especially where netminders are concerned.
The Philadelphia Flyers are the latest team to employ a three-goalie rotation, and the end result isn't surprising.
There are three unhappy goaltenders wearing orange, black and white.
"I think everyone knows that three goalies really doesn't work," said one of those three sour puckstoppers, former Windsor Spitfire Michael Leighton(notes).
Leighton was supposed to be Philly's go-to guy after he backstopped the Flyers to the Stanley Cup final last spring and signed a new two-year, US$3.1-million contract in the summer, but a pre-season back injury required surgery and scuttled the first two months of the season for him.
"The way the season ended last year, I was definitely looking forward to getting back and having a good start, and hopefully getting back to where we were last year," Leighton said.
Enter rookie Sergei Bobrovsky(notes), a 22-year-old Russian free agent, who proceeded to set a Flyers rookie record, winning six straight, part of a 10-game unbeaten run from Oct. 25-Nov. 15.
He was the NHL's rookie of the month for November, but lately, though, Bobrovsky's youth and inexperience have led to a crisis in confidence, no doubt influenced by his almost complete lack of ability to speak English, and the suddenly-crowded goal crease.
Veteran Brian Boucher(notes), whose shootout win over the New York Rangers on the final day of the season got Philly into last spring's playoffs, is the third wheel in this goaltending carousel.
Sunday was Boucher's turn in goal and he celebrated his 34th birthday by stating his case with a 25-save performance in a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
"When they tell me to play, I play," Boucher said. "I just try to take it a day at a time and come with a good attitude.
"That's all you can do."
Leighton's first chance to play came last week in Los Angeles.
He posted a 7-4 victory, but was personally uninspired by his performance.
"I wasn't too happy with the way it went, but we got a win," Leighton said. "I'm just kind of waiting for another chance."
The Flyers are Leighton's seventh National Hockey League team and if the rumour mill is to be believed, he could soon add No. 8.
There is speculation that Leighton might be the odd man out in this three-horse race, expendable because he has trade value and takes up more salary space on a cap-tight Philadelphia roster.
"I'm not sure what they've got planned," Leighton said. "Right now, it's just kind of a wait and see thing."
If he is moved, it could prove a real gamble for the Flyers, because it also may be that a healthy Leighton —16-5-2 for Philly last season—offers them the best chance at success.
Currently battling with the Pittsburgh Penguins for top spot in the Atlantic Division and contenders for first overall in the Eastern Conference, are they willing to set sail with an untested kid as their last line of defence?
Meanwhile, Boucher has proven time and again through his career that he's best suited for a backup role, capable of getting hot for stretches, but not consistently over the course of a long season.
The Flyers lost one opportunity to dilute their goaltending situation Saturday when the Tampa Bay Lightning grabbed the experienced Dwayne Roloson(notes) from the New York Islanders.
The battle continues, but the equation never changes.
Three into two just won't go.
looking for job
????
Three into two won't go
You don't need the calculative mind of Stephen Hawking to decipher that this equation never works.
Especially where netminders are concerned.
The Philadelphia Flyers are the latest team to employ a three-goalie rotation, and the end result isn't surprising.
There are three unhappy goaltenders wearing orange, black and white.
"I think everyone knows that three goalies really doesn't work," said one of those three sour puckstoppers, former Windsor Spitfire Michael Leighton(notes).
Leighton was supposed to be Philly's go-to guy after he backstopped the Flyers to the Stanley Cup final last spring and signed a new two-year, US$3.1-million contract in the summer, but a pre-season back injury required surgery and scuttled the first two months of the season for him.
"The way the season ended last year, I was definitely looking forward to getting back and having a good start, and hopefully getting back to where we were last year," Leighton said.
Enter rookie Sergei Bobrovsky(notes), a 22-year-old Russian free agent, who proceeded to set a Flyers rookie record, winning six straight, part of a 10-game unbeaten run from Oct. 25-Nov. 15.
He was the NHL's rookie of the month for November, but lately, though, Bobrovsky's youth and inexperience have led to a crisis in confidence, no doubt influenced by his almost complete lack of ability to speak English, and the suddenly-crowded goal crease.
Veteran Brian Boucher(notes), whose shootout win over the New York Rangers on the final day of the season got Philly into last spring's playoffs, is the third wheel in this goaltending carousel.
Sunday was Boucher's turn in goal and he celebrated his 34th birthday by stating his case with a 25-save performance in a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
"When they tell me to play, I play," Boucher said. "I just try to take it a day at a time and come with a good attitude.
"That's all you can do."
Leighton's first chance to play came last week in Los Angeles.
He posted a 7-4 victory, but was personally uninspired by his performance.
"I wasn't too happy with the way it went, but we got a win," Leighton said. "I'm just kind of waiting for another chance."
The Flyers are Leighton's seventh National Hockey League team and if the rumour mill is to be believed, he could soon add No. 8.
There is speculation that Leighton might be the odd man out in this three-horse race, expendable because he has trade value and takes up more salary space on a cap-tight Philadelphia roster.
"I'm not sure what they've got planned," Leighton said. "Right now, it's just kind of a wait and see thing."
If he is moved, it could prove a real gamble for the Flyers, because it also may be that a healthy Leighton —16-5-2 for Philly last season—offers them the best chance at success.
Currently battling with the Pittsburgh Penguins for top spot in the Atlantic Division and contenders for first overall in the Eastern Conference, are they willing to set sail with an untested kid as their last line of defence?
Meanwhile, Boucher has proven time and again through his career that he's best suited for a backup role, capable of getting hot for stretches, but not consistently over the course of a long season.
The Flyers lost one opportunity to dilute their goaltending situation Saturday when the Tampa Bay Lightning grabbed the experienced Dwayne Roloson(notes) from the New York Islanders.
The battle continues, but the equation never changes.
Three into two just won't go.
