The Canes made some interesting roster decisions today, placing backup goaltender Michael Leighton on waivers and electing to make captain Rod Brind'Amour a healthy scratch for the Penguins game.
Leighton, who has played in seven games this season, Leighton is in the final year of a one-way contract that pays him $600,000 at the NHL level or at the American Hockey League level if he were to be reassigned to the Albany River Rats.
Leighton, 28, has until noon Tuesday to be claimed off waivers. If not, the Hurricanes have a 30-day window to decide on placing him on waivers again or sending him to Albany.
"We've identified Manny (Legace) as being ahead of Michael," general manager Jim Rutherford said today. "That's our decision for now, but we will deal with this on a week-to-week basis and see where this is going.
"Michael has played some good games for us. From a team viewpoint, he has not gotten a lot of help. Both goalies have given us some good games with Cam out."
Ward has been sidelined since Nov. 7, when he suffered a leg laceration against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canes plan to activate him off injured reserve and start him Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils.
The Hurricanes signed Legace to a two-way contract after Ward's injury that pays him $500,000 at the NHL level or $105,000 at the AHL level. Legace, an NHL veteran who was playing for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, is 3-4-2 with the Canes and was the winner Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.
Brind'Amour has had his ice time reduced some recent games and been used on the fourth line. The Canes have 13 healthy forwards with the return of Jussi Jokinen, who sat out the Vancouver game, and Maurice has made the decision to sit Brind'Amour tonight.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Is Leighton still the back
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:08 — Otag1Is Leighton still the back up goalie tonight? If not who is? Haven't seen Peters called up. Do not get a good feeling here if we have to go to Leighton in net, ( can he even play after being placed on waivers today? ), it is a chance again to show what he can do or he could be pissed off and his mental attitude a mess. Goalies always say the biggest challenge for them is all in the 6" space between the ears! This is strange timing to announce this.
Aside from the emotion
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:46 — ctillAside from the emotion associated with Brind'amour, making him a healthy scratch is a very logical move. Question is, will he retire at the end of this season, or will JR find a team who wants him if JR pays part of the salary in 2010-2011 or sweetens the deal with a draft pick or some other consideration. If not, JR will have no choice but to buy him out.
On the other hand, letting go of Whitney will be tough. He is still our highest scorer -- on a team that doesn't have many natural-born goal scorers. Those are big shoes for Boychuk to fill.
teams can no longer
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:08 — louis12580pick up a portion of a players salary if they are traded. When we first picked up Whitney, Detroit paid part of his salary and the same when we re-acquired Sean Hill from St. Louis. This is part of the new CBA and that's why many teams don't make trades for the higher calibre player. This does get mentioned from time to time about going back to that where teams will pick up a portion of a players salary, but the league higher-ups are dead set against it. They feel as if it goes against the "spirit" of the cap. 13-15 year deals don't do that, now do they?
Report: Brind'Amour is a Healthy Scratch
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:39 — abramsdougAccording to various sources, including Chip Alexander on his Tweeter account, Brind'Amour is the healthy scratch. Given the fact he has had problems this entire year with productivity and defense, it has been two months since he scored a goal and that his +/- is the worst in the NHL, it's the right call as far as I am concerned. I think changes are going to come sooner rather than later to the Hurricanes roster.
Leighton...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:35 — Caniac5I really like Leighton! I think he was/is a great goalie! Sitting on the bench for so long has not been good for him at all! I would love to keep him with the Canes but he deserves to find a team that appreciates his drive and dedication. The Canes do not!!!!
So, Mike! I am very sorry to see you put on waviers but I think it's the best thing for your career! The team that picks you up will hopefully see your potential and help you achieve the status you once had! Then, maybe you can come back to Carolina and show them what they missed out on!!!!
great guy, but...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:51 — hockeyhickand I'm sorry, but great goalie he is not. Servicebale NHL backup is even a stretch in my opinion. To his credit the long stretches he spent riding the pine certainly haven't helped his cause. But great young goalies goalies have the ability to keep focused and take advantage of their opportunities. Look no further than Cam Ward for proof of that.
Again, great guy, seemed to be a hard worker, but my memory has him stealing only 1 game for us, last december against San Jose. There may be more, but a GREAT goalie would have seized this current opportunity with Cam out, and Leighton has not. We are much better off with a vet such as Legace as the #2, especially if Wardo is completely healed and ready to take 90-95% of the load from here on out. And kudos to JR for not making a decision based soley on the dollars and cents. He could have easily waived legace and saved some money, but he made a decision based on what's best for the team.
#17
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:49 — garybdiverA healthy scratch tonight against the Pens.
I heard that too...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:38 — hockeyhickCould be a precursor to a trade, although with Rod's play this year and his contract, i doubt anyone would want him. I must admit that i am very surprised by this move. Very seldom is a player wearing the "C" a healthy scratch.
Despite wanting this to happen for a long time...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:35 — procellae...I feel bad for him now.
hey procellae
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:35 — esteban1949that just proves that you do have a heart & compassion...as do 99.9% of us fans do...who knows...maybe Rod asked to be scratched for tonight ...take care & don't be too hard on yourself
Go Canes !
#17
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:14 — louis12580I heard that as well. It appears that things just keep getting more and more awkward. My guess is that Jussi will be in the line-up tonight? To make matters even more enjoyable, Sid is supposed to be back for Pittsburgh tonight.
Yeah the Kid
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:26 — garybdiveris back tonight. Aren't we the lucky team. Jussi also is playing. Watch the D tonight. Could be somewhat of a preview of next year.
Preview of next year con't...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:32 — Caniac5We just don't need Alberts and Ward on the ice at the same time. They were on the ice when the Canucks scored against us!
Not much choice
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 15:45 — GoShelfI agree, but our dmen are Pitkanen, Gleason, A Ward, Alberts, Rodney, and Harrison. Anyway you dice it up, they're going to have to play some minutes against either Crosby's line or Malkin's line, pick your poison right. If we're going to win tonight it's going to have to be 8-7 because I don't see us shutting them down, could be ugly.