Tuesday, April 5, 2011Posted: 1:23 p.m.Updated: 2:53 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio and Sarah BaickerCSNPhilly.com
OTTAWA -- The reshaping of the Flyers' playoff roster began here this afternoon.
Rookie goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will be the playoff starter, according to sources, though that announcement likely won't be made until after this weekend's regular-season games end.
Given the way coach Peter Laviolette has used Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher down the stretch, thats not a surprise.
In conjunction with that, however, the Flyers placed goalie Michael Leighton on re-entry waivers Tuesday. Leighton is expected to practice with the Flyers on Wednesday, unless he is claimed.
Sources tell CSNPhilly.com that the Flyers would like to use Leighton in Friday's game in Buffalo against the Sabres.
General manager Paul Holmgren declined to comment on Bobrovsky as the playoff starter or Leighton playing against the Sabres this weekend.
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But he did explain the reason for recalling Leighton now as opposed to this weekend when the regular season ends.
Youve got the same problems now or last week or next week, Holmgren said. Any time you do it, hes going to go through re-entry. The idea now is to get him into one of the last two games.
Leighton, 29, has a 14-12-2 record and 2.22 goals-against average with the Phantoms this season, including five shutouts.
Expected to be a major contributor to the Flyers, he underwent herniated disk surgery in his back on Oct. 11 and played just one game with the Flyers all season, a 7-4 win in Los Angeles on Dec. 30 Though hes played well in Adirondack, his back continues to be a source of concern for the Flyers.
Sources say Leighton requires extensive daily maintenance on his back. Because of that, pinpointing when he plays is not exact, but the team wants him to play in one of the final two regular-season games. The season ends Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center against the New York Islanders.
Holmgren would only confirm that Leighton represented depth on the playoff roster.
Any team that claims Leighton would not be able to use him until next fall. They would also acquire him for half of his 1.55 million salary. The Flyers would be responsible for supplying the other half. Given his back issues, he may not be worth the gamble for other clubs.
Holmgren said that both Bobrovsky and Boucher were informed in advance of this move.
They both know this is strictly a depth thing for us in the playoffs, Holmgren said. Its not an issue with those guys. They both knew it was coming.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net or Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com
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