The Chicago Blackhawks will not re-sign unrestricted free agent goaltender Michael Leighton, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic.
Leighton, 34, made 16 saves in one appearance for Chicago last season. He went 28-8-8 with a 2.44 GAA, .918 save percentage and five shutouts in 46 games for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.
The Hawks will now turn to Lars Johansson, who they signed to a one-year deal May 24, or Mac Carruth, who they re-signed to a 1-year contract June 14, to take over the starting job in Rockford.
Johansson, 28, was named the Swedish Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year after posting a 27-6 record with seven shutouts and a league-best 1.74 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 37 games to lead Frölunda HC to a league title. He also won the Champions League this past season with Frölunda. In three seasons with Frölunda, the 6-foot, 198-pound netminder is 56-27 with 11 shutouts. He has never lost more than 11 games in a season.
Carruth split the 2015-16 season between the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and Rockford. In 25 games with the Fuel, he recorded a 2.43 goals against average and .918 save percentage. In 17 regular-season games with the IceHogs, Carruth had a 2.30 GAA and .926 save percentage. He struggled in the Calder Cup playoffs, however, posting a 4.53 GAA and .854 save percentage in three losses.