The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired goaltender Michael Leighton and a 2019 fourth-round draft pick from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Josh Archibald, goalie Sean Maguire and a 2019 sixth-round draft pick.
Leighton will report to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.
Leighton, a five-time AHL All-Star, had been acquired by the Coyotes on Nov. 14 in a trade from Tampa Bay. In 14 AHL games between Syracuse and Chicago this season, Leighton has a record of 4-4-4 with a 3.16 goals-against average, an .869 save percentage and one shutout.
The AHL’s career leader in shutouts (50), Leighton has appeared in 479 career AHL games with a record of 236-176-48, ranking fifth all-time in victories and eighth among goaltenders in games played. He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2001-02 and won the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding goaltender in 2007-08.
In postseason play, Leighton owns the AHL records for saves in a single game (98, in a five-overtime loss on Apr. 24, 2008) and for lowest GAA in a single playoff year (1.18, in 2008). He shows a 1.67 GAA, a .946 save percentage and five shutouts in 28 career Calder Cup Playoff contests (13-12).
The Petrolia, Ontario, native has also played in 110 career NHL games with Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia and Carolina, posting a record of 37-43-14 with a 2.98 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage and four shutouts. Leighton has also appeared in 16 career Stanley Cup Playoff games including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Flyers in 2010, going 8-3 with three shutouts in 14 games that postseason.
Leighton was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round, 165th overall, at the 1999 NHL Draft.
Maguire, 24, has made four appearances with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, going 1-1-0 with a 2.19 GAA and a .924 save percentage.
