Leighton on Re-entry waivers

With just five days left in the NHL regular season, the Flyers are trying to
sneak Michael Leighton back into the NHL via re-entry waivers. We will know at
noon whether they have been successful.

It will be interesting to see if any team makes a claim on Leighton, who is due
$1.6 million next season. Remember, the claiming team would be responsible for
only half of that amount (or $800,000), as well as one-half of the five days pay
(claiming team's share is about $20,600) that remains on this year's contract.

I wonder if a team such as the Rangers might claim him -- there's a significant
chance that the teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs. Of course,
he can only play for the Flyers in the post-season -- if any other team claimed
him, his season would end on Sunday. It's also possible a non-playoff team
could grab him to use next season or in a potential trade.

According to philly.com, Paul Holmgren has said that if Leighton does make it
through, he would expect him to play in one of the Flyers' games over the
weekend. The Islanders end their season in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick