Leighton ready for the NHL

Canes goalie to back up Ward

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Michael Leighton might have ended up in Russia.

Instead, the Canes gave him an opportunity to back up Cam Ward in goal. So far, he has lived up to the team's expectations.

Leighton is scheduled to split time with Ward in tonight's exhibition game against the host Nashville Predators.

He's allowed a single goal in defending 37 shots in 93 minutes over two games this preseason.

"He's played solid for us," said Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette. "He's made the saves he needs to make."

That included gloving the high blast from Philadelphia's Jonathon Kalinski with 4:22 left in Sunday's game, which helped the Canes' to a 1-0 victory, their first win.

Canes goalie coach Tom Barrasso has been pleased with Leighton, but was cautious, because it's only the preseason.

"We've got a long way to go to determine what kind of success he's going to have," Barrasso said. "His play has been solid in both games he's played in. So that's all very encouraging."

Since 2001, Leighton, 27, has been back and forth between the American Hockey League and the NHL, doing mostly short backup stints with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Nashville Predators and the Philadelphia Flyers, before joining the Canes last year.

"I look back at my first few years in the NHL," Leighton said. "I'm not the same goalie. ... Technically, I was kind of ... all over the place back then."

His NHL experience has given him a level of confidence.

"I've had some good games," he said. "I've had some bad games. I know I can play at this level and that's big with goaltending."

It was crucial for him to have the type of year he did last year with the Carolina Hurricanes' AHL affiliate in Albany, N.Y.

In 58 games he allowed an average of 2.1 goals a game, and recorded 98 saves in a game that went to five overtimes in the playoffs. He won the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award, given to the AHL's most outstanding goalie.

It led to the two-year $1.2 million contract he signed with the Canes in June. It was his first one-way contract, which means his salary will remain the same, regardless of whether he's in the NHL or AHL. It also means the Canes' have confidence in him.

It couldn't have come at a better time. Leighton said he fielded offers from some European teams, including the Russian Super League, and likely would have been forced to go that route had the Canes not given him a chance.

"It might have been my last year here. I didn't want to be a career minor-league goalie," he said. "I've got to look at my family, too. I can't just keep playing in the minors my whole life. ... It was a very important year for me."

Leighton was able to purchase a home for his family in Windsor, Ontario.

"This is what I've been looking for for a long time," Leighton said. "Now that it's here, I can't relax. I have to keep playing better."

Barrasso said there's still a gap between the AHL and the NHL, and generally there's an adjustment period for players jumping to the NHL.

"He's still got some learning to do," Barrasso said. "His agility has gotten better. His balance is better. His recovery off of saves is better because he's worked on those things. He's got very good hands."

Barrasso said Leighton can one day be the starting goalie he aspires to be.

"There's lots to learn," Leighton said. "It's just little things. Little movements, confidence, and being prepared for every game."