Mar 14, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Mackenzie Skapski (70) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Goaltender: Michael Leighton (2014-2015 cap hit: $550,000)
It was originally speculated that Talbot would be moved at the draft or during the summer months while his stock is high and Mackenzie Skapski would fill in as the new backup to Henrik Lundqvist. But things haven’t gone as planned, because Skapski had recently undergone hip surgery and is expected to miss 4-5 months, thereby missing the first month of the 2015-2016 regular season.
While Lundqvist could theoretically play all the October games without a problem, a backup would be preferable to step in for 1-2 games just to keep Hank fresh. Leighton is just the man for the job. He carried the Philadelphia Flyers to an unlikely Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2010, so he’s definitely qualified to relieve Lundqvist for a couple games while Skapski returns from recovery.
Who knows, Alain Vigneault might even elect to keep Skapski in the AHL for one more year so he could sharpen his game. If not, Leighton takes over the Wolf Pack and Skapski’s mentor is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. Not bad.
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