Will Michael Leighton be the Opening Night Goaltender for the Flyers in 2010?

A day before NHL free agency was about to begin, the Flyers locked up their 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs savior in Michael Leighton. Leighton was rewarded with a two-year deal worth $3.1 million. But should have General Manger Paul Holmgren and the Flyers gone in this direction? Or should have the Flyers looked at a more proven netminder in Marty Turco or Evengi Nabakov.

Leighton could have another stellar season between the pipes in 2010-2011 but most likely he will never get back to the success he had last season. First off, if the Flyers want to stop worrying about goaltending being an issue, they can't rely on Leighton to be in net all 82 games. The journeyman hasn't shown he can with stand a whole NHL season. The most games he has played in a season was 35 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003-2004.

Sure, Leighton came in the regular season and playoffs after injuries to Ray Emery and Brian Boucher and did what was asked of him. But I am not sure Leighton is the man to be the Flyers full-time goaltender.

The other Flyers on the ice at any particular time can only do so much. It is up to goaltender to make the big save that could save a season or end one. My case and point, Patrick Kane's game-winning goal that seemed to find the net threw Leighton's pads that allowed the Blackhawks to raise Lord Stanley on the ice in Philadelphia.

Look for, sadly, one or two big names to be moved to clear cap space to bring in a goaltender that has a proven track record. The Flyers have a good mix of young and old talent on the roster but the window may be closing soon on a great opportunity. Don't let the goaltender be the reason why Orange & Black fans can't celebrate in June during a Flyers Stanley Cup parade.

Flyers aren't done after the wheeling and dealing they did on the first day of free agency. The roster has three very formidable defensive pairs with the resigning of Braydon Colburn, acquisition of Andrej Meszaros and the signing of Sean O'Donnell. The Flyers also added a little more grit to their team with the signing of winger Jody Shelley. Many Flyers fans may remember Shelley for not having a goal until the last two games of the season. Shelley, as a Ranger, almost single-handily kicked the Flyers out of the playoffs with his physical style of play on the ice and his new found scoring touch.

Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter have been linked for weeks now to possible trades to either free up space to sign a Turco or Nabakov or to lure in a young stud goalie in Jonathan Quick. Look for more fireworks to come with the shaping of the 2010-2011 roster of the Flyers.