Blackhawks Trade Goalie Leighton to Buffalo

[Minstrel]

The long-speculated trade of a goalie has finally occured here in Chicago. Michael Leighton was dealt to further muddy Buffalo's crowded goaltending picture.

It's rather odd to see him go to another team who seems to be in the exact same situation. Buffalo has been widely rumored to be looking to move either Biron or Miller to give one the full-time job and make room for giving Mika Noronen a shot at the backup job. Previously it had been Noronen that was looked upon as having the best shot, but with recent performances Miller has risen to #2 on the Buffalo depth chart.

That parallels the Chicago situation as well, the #2 slot was previously thought to belong to Leighton but it was Anderson who claimed the spot in camp. There was even a close battle this year between the two and Adam Munro who has been rapidly improving coming of an excellent year in the AHL. In the end, Leighton couldn't distance himself sufficiently from either. He couldn't be sent down without being put on waivers; so he had to be dealt.

Leighton last (played) year was considered the clear #1 when Thibault went down with extended injury. 'Leights' has been inconsistent though and wasn't able to take advantage of his chances to fill in as a first string NHLer. He didn't do much with his training camp opportunities this year either, allowing I think it was five goals in his first action.

Maybe Buffalo has a deal almost in place for Biron and they'll give Miller and Noronen that 1 and 1a designations with the big club and send Leighton down to play in the AHL. At only 24 though it's too early to write Leighton off.

[archibalduk]

I'm not really that well informed on the Hawks and the Sabres (although thanks to the Minty one I now know a bit about the Hawks' troubled past) but it seems to me that Buffalo really need to sort out their goaltending situation rather quickly. Why they need so many G's is beyond me. Personally, I'm quite a fan of Biron and so I'd trade Miller...