Heading into this off season, the biggest question surrounding this Flyers team is who will be the goalie next year? While Michael Leighton at times in the playoffs looked like a hall of famer, he also looked at times like he didn't know what sport he was playing. There is no doubt in my mind that Leighton contributed greatly to the Flyers run to the Stanlye Cup. He had the best numbers out of any other goalie in the playoffs, and his home record and goals against average were remarkable to say the least. Still, Michael Leighton is not a number 1 goalie, at least not in the NHL. He is a very solid backup who just happened to be playing with an unbelievably hot Flyers team. And when it came down to the pressure situations, Leighton let the Flyers down big time. There were some goals in games 5 and 6 that could have and should have been stopped. The clinching goal that he gave up to Patrick Kane was a terrible way to end such a hard fought playoff run. I don't want to blame Leighton too much, but if the Flyers had a true number 1 goalie on their team in the Stanley Cup, I might be writing an article about how awesome the parade was. Instead, I am discussing what they need to do deffensively to get better for next season. While the other goal tending options in free agency look to be extremely expensive, there is a good chance that Leighton is your starting goalie next season. If the Flyers do decided to go this route, it is imperative that they sign highly talented defenseman to help Leighton out around the net. Early this offseason the primary focus for the Flyers is defense, because in the end defense wins Stanley Cups.
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