Leighton claimed by Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers today claimed goaltender Michael Leighton off re-entry waivers. Tracking the Storm has the story.

Leighton returns

The Carolina Hurricanes today reassigned former Rats' netminder Michael Leighton to his old stomping grounds here in Albany.  

Leighton rejoins the River Rats after spending one and one-third seasons as a back-up for Cam Ward in Carolina. 

In 2007-08, Leighton led an underperforming Albany squad to the playoffs, earned first-team all-star honors, and was named AHL goalie of the year. He led the league with a 2.10 goals-against average and was tied for second with a save percentage of .931. 

Leighton played 19 games with the Hurricanes last season, registering a 2.92 GAA and .901 SV%. 

This season Leighton was given only one start before Cam Ward was injured with a severe laceration. Manny Legace was signed immediately after the injury and was picked to start the Canes' next two games. 

Leighton was handed the two starts after, but pulled his groin midway through the second game. Upon his recovery, Leighton started two more contests and was then placed on waivers.

Leighton appeared in a total of seven contests with the Canes this season, recording a 4.29 GAA and .850 SV%. 

The River Rats, now with three goaltenders, may reassign Mike Murphy to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, where the rookie netminder would likely be given starting duties.

UPDATE: Leighton will be placed on re-entry waivers today (12/13). 

Michael Leighton put on waivers

The Carolina Hurricanes today placed back-up goaltender Michael Leighton on waivers. 

Leighton, a former starter for the Rats, could be snatched up by another team at half price or reassigned to Albany should he go unclaimed. 

The Hurricanes signed veteran goalie Manny Legace earlier in the season after Cam Ward was injured. With Ward expected to return December 9, the Canes have a surplus of netminders.

Legace was favored over Leighton from the start and the vet outperformed the younger goaltender in the handful of games they split.

Leighton, 28, in the final year of his contract with Carolina, was hoping to find a starting job in the NHL next season, but the chances of that happening now are slim to none. 

In seven games with the Hurricanes this season, Leighton has a less than impressive 4.28 GAA and a .850 SV%. 

In 19 NHL games last season Leighton registered a decent 2.92 GAA and a .901 SV%. 

With the River Rats in 2007-08, Leighton recorded seven shutouts, a 2.10 GAA and a .931 SV% after 58 games.

If Leighton is reassigned to Albany, he would likely share time or serve as a back-up to Justin Peters, while rookie Mike Murphy could be sent to the ECHL for extra playing time.

UPDATE: Leighton cleared waivers today (12/8) at noon.

Justin Peters reassigned

The Carolina Hurricanes today reassigned goaltender Justin Peters to the Albany River Rats. Peters was recalled to the Canes on November 18 after back-up goalie Michael Leighton suffered a groin pull. Peters spent a week with the big club, but did not get a chance to start. He will likely join the Rats this weekend in Norfolk. Tracking the Storm has the news.

News & Notes

• Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union chats with Tim Conboy, Bryan Rodney and coach Jeff Daniels about the Rats' well-fortified defensive corps. 

• The Rats talk to Chris Fitz Gerald at the Troy Record about their goals for the coming week, including their hopes of improving scoring chances, particularly on the power play. 

• "Coach preaches consistency," says rookie forward Chris Terry to the Schenectady Daily Gazette, "and I think if we become more consistent with our plays and the strategies the coaches draw up for us, I think we'll be more successful."
  

• Defenseman Bryan Rodney will play tonight for the first time since being returned from Carolina. Rodney was reassigned to Albany on Friday, but sat out the weekend with the flu.

• Rob Hennigar is in town and will make his first appearance as a River Rat tonight against Syracuse. He should be wearing #19. Meanwhile, Harrison Reed, who was sent to the ECHL in exchange for Hennigar yesterday, is expected to play for the Florida Everblades this evening in Wheeling, West Virginia.  

• Forward Tuomo Ruutu of the Carolina Hurricanes left Monday night's game in Dallas with a lower-body injury. He is questionable for tonight's contest against Anaheim. Eric Staal, who missed the Canes' last 10 games with an upper-body injury, is expected to play tonight. Goaltender Michael Leighton, who was curbed with a groin injury on November 17, is recovering well and traveled with team on the road trip.
  

Canes recall Pat Dwyer

The injury-plagued Carolina Hurricanes today recalled Albany's respected captain and top goal-scorer Pat Dwyer.

Dwyer will likely remain with the Canes until star forward Eric Staal recovers from an upper-body injury. Coach Paul Maurice told the Raleigh News & Observer that Staal may return as early as next week. 

In similar news, goaltender Justin Peters will remain with Carolina for an indefinite amount of time. Canes' netminder Michael Leighton, who suffered a groin injury on Tuesday, is listed as "week-to-week." Top goalie Cam Ward, who was cut by a skate blade on November 7, is hoping to return to action on December 5th.  

The Hurricanes play tonight at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Peters called up; Conboy sent down

Having lost two goalies in less than two weeks, the Carolina Hurricanes today recalled Justin Peters. 

Former Albany captain Tim Conboy was reassigned to the River Rats to make room for Peters on the NHL roster, which is limited to 23 players. 

Goaltender Mike Morrison has been called up from the Florida Everblades to back up Mike Murphy in Albany. 

It will be interesting to see who arrives in time for tonight's game.

News & Notes

• The River Rats' busy schedule continues with three games in four days. Albany will skate at home tonight against Syracuse, in Manchester on Friday and at Binghamton on Saturday. The Rats dropped the first contest against each team, so they should be thirsty for revenge. The standings are also a concern. The Rats fell to fourth place last night after Norfolk picked up two points against Portland. Read the Rats' weekly recap for more.

• The Rats limped home from Springfield on Sunday, but the tough loss to the Falcons only provided inspiration for the coming week. The team held a spirited practice yesterday, full of heavy skating, on-ice chatter and even a few hits. Albany worked hard on improving special teams and the quality of their scoring chances. Hopefully it will pay off. Look for the Rats to come out aggressive tonight. The Schenectady Daily Gazette has more from practice.

• It is no secret. Pat Dwyer was named captain because he leads by example. Now in his fourth year with the River Rats, Dwyer is arguably Albany's most valuable player. He serves as a role model for the rest of the team, giving everything he has on every shift. Dwyer is featured today in the Albany Times Union.

• Rookie forward Drayson Bowman, who sat out the last three games with a chest injury, will not play tonight or this weekend. He will be sorely missed. Bad info!!! 

• The injury woes of the Carolina Hurricanes continue. Goaltender Michael Leighton left last night's game against Montreal with a lower-body complication, likely a groin pull. It was Leighton's second start since Cam Ward was curbed with a laceration on his leg. Eric Staal, Scott Walker and Joni Pitkanen also remain sidelined. Carolina's next game is on Thursday. If Leighton is unable to dress, Justin Peters could be on the way up. 

• Brandon Sutter and Bryan Rodney continue to shine in Raleigh. Sutter has five goals and three assists in 11 games. Rodney has two assists in 4 games. Both are skating extended minutes and getting time on the power play. Rodney was even included in the shootout line-up last night in Montreal. Read more about their stellar performances at the Raleigh News & Observer, Canes Country and Tracking the Storm.

• Players on standby in the ECHL are stacking up impressive numbers. Jacob MicFlikier has an unbelievable 22 points (7 G, 15 A) in 10 games. Rob Hennigar has 21 points (7 G, 14 A) in 14 games. Goaltender Mike Morrison has a solid GAA of 2.79 and a SV% of .903 after 10 games. The way things are going, their services may soon be required in Albany. 
  

Canes sign Manny Legace

With goaltender Cam Ward expected to miss significant time with a lacerated leg, the Carolina Hurricanes today signed veteran netminder Manny Legace to a two-way, one-year deal. 

That means Rats' starter Justin Peters will be sticking around, at least for now.

The Canes would rather bring in Legace than put all the weight on two goalies with limited experience. Justin Peters, along with Michael Leighton, both lack time in the NHL, whereas Legace is a battle-tested goalie with more than 15 years of professional play under his belt. 

Still, if Legace does not perform, Peters will be waiting on deck. 

Where Legace lands when Ward returns is anyone's guess. 

Cam Ward injured (UPDATE)

Justin Peters will likely be getting a call from the boys in Raleigh. 

Netminder Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes was cut badly by a skate blade last night in a contest against the Columbus Bluejackets. The laceration required stitches and Ward was hospitalized overnight after losing a significant amount of blood.

Justin Peters will likely be recalled to back up Michael Leighton for the Hurricanes' next game on Wednesday.

As for Albany, Mike Murphy will take charge of the Rats' crease and Mike Morrison will likely be called up from the ECHL for backup. 

The Rats' next game is Wednesday at Syracuse. 

UPDATE: Cam Ward is expected to be out for three to four weeks. The Hurricanes are considering several options, including a trade or a new signing. Chip Alexander speculates that Carolina may pick up veteran goaltender Manny Legace, who is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves.