Manny Legace says he doesn't talk on game days. That's OK. Call it an old goaltender thing.
But Legace will be in goal again tonight for the Islanders, starting his second game since signing with the Canes on Monday. And Canes coach Paul Maurice said it's good to have a new face, a new personality in the locker room.
"I think it's important," Maurice said today. "Somebody comes in and focuses on their own game and doesn't feel responsible for what's happened here and carry that same weight.
"Different expectations. I think especially at that position, a guy who's excited about being in the net and not waiting for something bad to happen. ... He has so many good things that can happen to him on a good game -- change where he's at and change his future.
"He doesn't feel the burden of the hole that we're in."
The "hole" is last place in the NHL, four points behind the Maple Leafs. The Canes (2-12-3) have lost the last seven games in regulation after the 5-2 loss Wednesday to the LA Kings.
Maurice said mental side would be the important component tonight for the Canes against the Isles (6-6-6).
"We haven't had a lot of games where we played as poorly in the first as we did the other night, so it's all mental preparation," he said.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
One thing...
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 19:51 — lightthelampLegace will be in goal for the Canes, not the Islanders, unless we figured out a way to swap him for Biron!
Legace from AHL?
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 19:26 — HockeydogLegace is a seasoned NHL player who was down in the AHL waiting for a call.
I do agree that Leighton has not been given a good look, but he has not exactly inspired confidence has he? Signing Legace was one good thing this GM has done.
If the team was doing better then Mo may have the luxury of getting Leighton in net more but they have 7 points and it is mid-November! Put the best man in net and history clearly shows Legace is the better bet, as penaltykiller74 's post shows.
Aside from that he has not been around long enough to get bogged down by this losing streak and is motivated to jump-start his career. A good move.
Why not Leighton?
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 16:50 — penaltykiller74When has he earned it?
Leighton's Career
GP = 72
GS = 61
W = 17
L = 33
T = 10
OTL = 2
GA = 203
GAA = 3.06
SV% = 0.897
SO = 3 (last one Dec 23, 2003 faced 23 shots)
Legace's Career (during the 7 seasons Leighton was playing)
GP =258
GS =244
W = 137
L =73
T =9
OTL = 18
GA =576
GAA = 2.41
SV% = 0.911
SO = 20 (last one April 5 2008 faced 25 shots)
So the tale of the tape says Legace is better. He has more experience, and has proven in the past he can be an NHL starter, unlike Leighton who has had 7 seasons to prove it, and never has.
bad idea
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 16:03 — sandpiper214If this is supposed to be a motivational thing directed at Leighton I think it's a horrible idea. I understand that the back-up is supposed to be able to go at a moment's notice, but I agree with justpassinthru (and others). You can't expect someone who is kept sitting to be perfect when they haven't played in forever and then sit them again instead of letting them get back into it. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if Leighton is looking to get out and quite frankly I think that's a shame. He earned the right to play @ the NHL level based on his performance in Albany two seasons ago. The fact that he hasn't been given the opportunity to play in Raleigh infuriates me because it's a waste of his goaltending skills. I'm not saying that they shouldn't have signed Legace, but seriously? To not give Leighton a chance? Not at all pleased with the goaltending choices of the parent club right now (and I'm not the only one from Albany that feels this way).
Yes sandpiper214
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 16:16 — esteban1949i agrees with ya and if we could talk with Phil, I think he would too. i has a question please. you remember Manzanto from last season ? do you know where he went ? I know Petro went back to europe, any Ideas ? And i do try to keep up with what's going there through Wrow590...catch ya later & before i forget me manners...Thanks...
Go Rats !! Go Canes !!
Hey esteban, long time no
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 16:22 — sandpiper214Hey esteban, long time no see :)
you could check out Phil's new blog for his thoughts, but I'm not sure if he's been following that drama yet http://pjanack.blogspot.com/
As for Manzato, he is in Switzerland with the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers. You can find him here: http://www.lakers.ch/d/mannschaft_spieler.asp
Yo sandpiper214
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 19:15 — esteban1949Thank yoiu, thank you, thank you !! i am registered with Phil's new blog I be the one with the gold star on the followers list. And while i was not sure he could ever make it in the nhl...i know his stats at the AHL were beter than some goalies throught the NHL last year. i am glad he is playing. He has talent and the skills...i'm just sorry no one here in the usa wanted him. Thanks for the links i will go and check the lakers link after the first period...and I do like those morning shows the chicken suit must be a yearly thing with them...Thanks again ,catch ya later !!
Go rats !! Go Canes !!!
I'd laugh
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 15:51 — esteban1949If if leighton wasn't on the phone and of got the start on saturday and he'd get a shut out !! Hey, Stranger things have happened in the past you know !
Go Canes !!
Caniac5. Totally agree. How
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 15:50 — justpassinthruCaniac5.
Totally agree. How can Leighton ever be expected to perform to his potential if he NEVERS plays. Mo is more of the problem in these losses that mgmt wants to admit. PK probably does not want to pay another coach to leave.
Legace in goal, not Leighton...
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 14:37 — Caniac5If Legace loses, I think MO should go! It's really a bad move all the way around to bring in a goalie from the AHL, I don't care who it is, and put them in front of your NHL backup goalie. Especially for two games in a row!!!
Leighton, I am sure, is talking with his agent saying, "Get me the $#@! out of here!" And I don't blame him one bit. Nobody wants to stay where they are not welcomed or appreciated...MO!!!!!