Pascal Leclaire News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

August 31

Ottawa Citizen

"If Pascal Leclaire ever makes it back to a National Hockey League crease — the current situation isn't promising — he should consider talking to The Tragically Hip about possible designs for a new mask. You know, just as a reminder of what he calls the "long road" to recovery following major hip surgery in Vail, Colorado, five months ago. Leclaire, whose two-year stint as an Ottawa Senators goaltender was more memorable for his laundry list of injuries than for the quickness of his glove hand or feet, remains unemployable due to his wonky hip. A free agent offer in July from an NHL team — he won't say which one — fell through when he couldn't pass the medical tests. Considering the small"

Sens rule out bringing back Leclaire

March 22

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire is officially finished with the Senators. GM Bryan Murray confirmed Monday the injury-riddled Leclaire won't be back next season and the club wants rookie Robin Lehner to play in Binghamton. "We thought we had (a player) in Pascal who had the athletic ability to help this team," said Murray. "Unfortunately, we had a guy for two years who got hurt more than we ever thought would happen." Murray said Lehner, 19, needs to develop."

Leclaire not quite done in Ottawa

February 27

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire's days with the Senators aren't over ... yet. GM Bryan Murray said he placed the 28-year-old goalie on waivers Saturday to give him a chance to play elsewhere. But if he goes unclaimed, he'll still dress as a backup in Ottawa. Leclaire, who played his first game Saturday in Binghamton since suffering a hip/groin injury in mid-December, was sent down for a two-week conditioning stint last Monday. Leclaire won't clear waivers until Monday at noon."

Senators waive Pascal Leclaire

February 27

Ottawa Citizen

"The Ottawa Senators are apparently finished with Pascal Leclaire. They put the 28-year-old, oft-injured goalie on waivers on Saturday afternoon. If he clears at noon on Monday, as it is expected he will, he could spend the rest of the season with the Binghamton Senators, with whom he is presently on a conditioning assignment. The initial plan was that Leclaire would return to Ottawa once his conditioning assignment was finished to serve as Craig Anderson's backup for the rest of the season. That would give Robin Lehner a chance to play some meaningful games in Binghamton as the team fights for a playoff berth. But after being in Binghamton a week, Leclaire had yet to play a game, so the"

Senators send Leclaire to Binghamton on conditioning assignment

February 22

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire got introduced to his new teammates on Monday: the Binghamton Senators. The oft-injured Senators goalie, on the mend from a lower-body injury, was assigned to Binghamton on Monday for a conditioning stint. He practised there and all reports indicate that he survived, no small feat considering the way his season — indeed, his entire career — has gone. How many games he'll play is a question mark, because it is all conditional on how he feels from day-to-day. He'll practise again on Tuesday, and if he comes out of that OK, he could play on Wednesday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. "We're looking to get him a couple of games, two or three games," said Senators"

Long-lost Leclaire nears return to Sens lineup

February 18

Ottawa Sun

"Senators fans could catch another glimpse of Pascal Leclaire this season. While a player returning from an injury wouldn't normally be a big deal, coach Cory Clouston confirmed the Senators' top goaltender could rejoin the club for practice next week. Leclaire, 28, who hasn't played since he pulled up lame in the warmup Dec. 17 in Colorado, faced shots Thursday before practice. Clouston is convinced Leclaire will return to the lineup this season."

Senators' Leclaire 'not anywhere near' return from injury

February 3

Ottawa Citizen

"Technically, goaltender Pascal Leclaire may still be a member of the Ottawa Senators. But as far as head coach Cory Clouston is concerned, the 28-year-old goaltender, who is in the final year of his contract, is finished for the season. The 28-year-old goalie has been out since suffering a lower-body injury during the pre-game warm-up on Dec. 17 in Denver. While at times it has appeared that Leclaire was making progress in his recovery, even appearing briefly on the ice to do some mild stretching exercises, Clouston said on Wednesday that he hasn't improved at all recently. Asked if Leclaire would be back this season, Clouston said, "I don't know," a departure from his view of two weeks"

Sens recall Brodeur to replace Leclaire in goal

January 16

Ottawa Citizen

"The Ottawa Senators recalled goaltender Mike Brodeur from the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators on Sunday morning. He is recalled for a fifth time on an emergency basis to replace injured Pascal Leclaire. Brodeur, 27, has made two NHL appearances this season, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he has faced. He has served as back-up to Brian Elliott on seven occasions this season."

Leclaire could be net loss for season

January 9

Ottawa Sun

"The question was put to Senators coach Cory Clouston early Saturday afternoon. Is there a chance Pascal Leclaire may not play again? "I'm not going to say that, I don't think it's to that extent," Clouston said of the nagging injury to the guy who is supposed to be his No. 1 goalie. "I'm also going to not say it's not." What he would say is that it will be another week, "minimum," before Leclaire can even face shots again. And that optimistically, he'll be a contributor to Senators victories during the second half of the season. But at this point, not a single soul would bet on that happening. What exactly is the "lower body" injury that Leclaire re-aggravated in Chicago Friday? What is it"

Leclaire setback leaves Sens scrambling

January 8

Ottawa Sun

"The never-ending saga with "Porcelain" Pascal Leclaire took another turn Friday. The Senators goaltender, who looked fine in practice Thursday, reported after the morning skate at the United Center that he'd suffered a setback in his return from a lower body injury. He wasn't able to dress for Friday night's game. The Senators say that Leclaire, who has spent more time in the infirmary than he has in the net since he joined the team, should be ready in a day or two. But who knows when he will be back? Leclaire, who first suffered the injury on Dec. 17 in Denver, was slow getting up after a drill Friday morning, forcing the Senators to make a call to AHL Binghamton to recall rookie Robin"

Leclaire practises, will dress as backup

January 6

Ottawa Sun

"G Pascal Leclaire practised with the Senators on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured on Dec. 17. While his lower-body ailment limited Leclaire to 25 minutes of practice, he should be able to dress as the backup against the Blackhawks in Chicago Friday night."

Solo workout for Pascal Leclaire

January 5

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire is inching closer to a return. The Senators goaltender, who has been out since Dec. 17 with a lower body injury, was the only one on the ice at Scotiabank Place Tuesday with the rest of the players taking part in an off-ice workout. Leclaire was able to take shots with assistant coach Brad Lauer and could return to practice Wednesday before the Senators head to Chicago to prepare to face the Blackhawks Friday at the United Center. The decision not to hold practice was made so that the players could step away a bit. Coming off a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday, the Senators have a rare five-day break in their schedule."

Injured Leclaire won't return tonight

December 31

Columbus Dispatch

"Tonight's game in Nationwide Arena was to mark the return of goaltender Pascal Leclaire, the Blue Jackets' first-round pick in 2001, for a New Year's Eve game against the Ottawa Senators. But Leclaire, whose career has been derailed by numerous injuries, is out again because of a lower body injury and will not make the trip. He missed last year's meeting between the clubs because of an upper body injury. "It's too bad," Leclaire said. "It would have been nice to come back and see some friends, see the city and see the building again. But it will happen eventually." Leclaire was traded to Ottawa along with a second-round draft pick at the 2009 trade deadline for center Antoine Vermette. So"

Leclaire to miss next 3 games

December 29

Ottawa Sun

"A master of the Bingo Shuffle, Mike Brodeur should be able to steer clear of Interstate 81 for a while. His job will be with Ottawa until next week, at least. Senators coach Cory Clouston said Tuesday that the lower-body injury goalie Pascal Leclaire is dealing with has progressed, but not near to the point that he's ready to return to the lineup."

Sens without Leclaire on trip

December 22

Ottawa Sun

"The Senators' playoff hopes now rest squarely on Brian Elliott's shoulders. And, if he can't do it, Mike Brodeur may get a shot. There was no sign of often-injured Pascal Leclaire as the Senators stepped onto the ice Tuesday at Scotiabank Place, Leclaire is battling a nagging lower-body ailment and won't make the trip to Nashville for Thursday's final game before for the two-day Christmas break. Elliott will be trying to win his first game since Nov. 27. "(Leclaire) has made some strides. He feels better (Tuesday) than he did (Monday), but not enough to give us optimism that he'll be ready for Nashville," said Senators coach Cory Clouston. Clouston, who doesn't believe surgery is going to"

Senators' net pains piling up

December 19

Ottawa Sun

"Goaltending was the least of the Senators' concerns. Now it's moved to the top of the list. As the Senators made their way home Saturday after picking up 3-of-4 points during stops in Minnesota and Denver, they have to be wondering where their next save is going to come from. They haven't been getting enough lately. Then there's Pascal Leclaire's latest injury. It was no surprise he couldn't start on Friday against the Avalanche in Denver — a 6-5 overtime loss — after suffering a lower-body injury in warmup. This has been going on for Leclaire's whole career, so it shouldn't come as a shock that he couldn't play when his team needed him. Leclaire was coming off two straight wins for the"

Cursed Leclaire hurt again

December 13

Ottawa Sun

"There was a scary moment midway through practice Sunday at Scotiabank Place, as goaltender Brian Elliott was run over in the crease by a group of players. He went down. He went to the bench for medical attention. In the end, Elliott was OK and returned to the net. And that's a good thing because Pascal Leclaire is hurt ... again. The oft-injured goalie has a lower-body ailment and may dress as backup Monday vs. the Atlanta Thrashers. It would appear Elliott is the only option in net. After making 29 saves in a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils Friday, Leclaire was probably going to get a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a year — Dec. 26-to-Dec. 28 of last"

Leclaire misses Sens' Sunday practice, may be out for Thrasher game

December 12

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire suffered a lower body injury during Friday's 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils and may not be able to sit as a backup in tomorrow's game against the Atlanta Thrashers. If he can't, the Senators will have to recall Robin Lehner from Binghamton. Mike Brodeur is still out with a concussion so he is out of the mix. If Lehner has to be recalled, Binghamton would be left only with Barry Brust. Leclaire didn't practice on Sunday so he wouldn't further aggravate the injury."

Sens goalie hurt again

December 12

Ottawa Sun

"There was no sign of Pascal Leclaire Sunday at Scotiabank Place. He's hurt ... again. The Senators goaltender has a lower body injury he suffered in Friday's 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, but coach Cory Clouston said Leclaire should be OK to backup Monday against Atlanta. If he can't suit up, then it's expected Robin Lehner will be called up from the club's AHL affiliate in Binghamton. He isn't scheduled to join Team Sweden for the world junior championships until later this week."

Senators 'tending to business

December 7

Ottawa Sun

"The suspicious look grew on Cory Clouston's face Monday at the Bell Centre when he was asked if he'd already made his choice — a tough one, for the right reasons — as to which goalie he would start against the Habs the next night. Evidently, he thought the media was trying to get him to reveal that secret before he traditionally does, the morning of the game. "Right now our decision is mostly made," Clouston said, breaking into the type of grin that is easier to spot around the Senators' dressing room these days. "That's good, though. Isn't that leading the witness? Isn't that what that's called?" There's been one blip on each of their screens since Nov. 22, but Pascal Leclaire and Brian"

Senators get a scare

November 24

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire is not injured again. It just looked that way for a few moments during Senators practice Tuesday morning. Leclaire was felled by a Jason Spezza shot that hit an unprotected area of his right knee. The injury-prone goalie remained on the ice for a minute or two, but did get up and finished the practice, although much of his remaining time on the ice was spent stretching. "Just a little bruise, a little stinger. I'll be all right," said Leclaire. "That happens a lot of times. It sucks for a couple of hours but it'll be all right." Leclaire is expected to start in goal Wednesday night when the Senators host the Dallas Stars, who are coming off a 4-1 loss in Toronto."

Senators goaltender Leclaire alright after setback

November 24

TSN.ca

"Ottawa Senators Goaltender Pascal Leclaire was briefly hurt in practice Tuesday after taking a puck off the knee. Despite early concern, head coach Cory Clouston is not worried about the health of his keeper, "Maybe a brief moment it flashed in my head but when I went down there he said, 'I'm o.k.'" Clouston said, "He's o.k." Clouston called it a bump caused when a puck caught Leclaire in the seam of his extra knee padding."

Clouston cool with Leclaire getting hot

November 13

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire is normally the most easygoing player on the Ottawa Senators. Nothing seems to ruffle him. He's never in a bad mood. During practice on Friday, however, he snapped. After giving up a goal on a three-on-one drill, he angrily banged his stick against a goal post twice until it broke, then threw it down the ice. He had every reason to be upset. He wasn't having a great practice and he was just coming off a 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, his first start in almost a month since injuring his groin in a game against the Carolina Huricanes. After practice, though, he had calmed down. "I don't think it's a big deal," he said. "Every guy breaks a stick once in awhile. I had a bad"

Sens give Leclaire a start

November 12

Ottawa Sun

"The wait is over for Pascal Leclaire. For the first time in almost a month, the Senators goaltender will make a start in the club's net with coach Cory Clouston wanting to give ailing goalie Brian Elliott a rest. Leclaire, who suffered a groin injury Oct. 14th against the Carolina Hurricanes, will make the start with the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Place at 7:30 p.m. EST to wrap up a two-game homestand. Dressed as the backup for the club's last four games, Leclaire is ready to replace Elliott, who has made 11 straight starts in the Ottawa net and has been nursing a nagging injury. "I'm used to it. I've been practising hard in the last couple of weeks and I've been feeling good in"

Leclaire feeling unnerved

November 10

Ottawa Sun

"Now that Tim Thomas has turned his game around, there's not a more handsomely paid backup goalie in the entire NHL than Pascal Leclaire. Doesn't mean he's comfortable with his free seat near the end of the Senators' plank, however. In fact, he rarely uses it. Leclaire is often standing when he's wearing a baseball cap rather than a mask and helmet, viewing Brian Elliott and the rest of his teammates at work. "I get more nervous on the bench than I am when I play," he said Tuesday morning. Ah, you mean nervous that Mike Fisher's going to hit you in the face with a shot again? "No, but I'm way more aware of what's going on this year, though, for sure," Leclaire said, chuckling. (Caught him"

What to do with Pascal?

November 9

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston has a delicate problem. As is so often the case, it involves Senators goaltenders. Even though Brian Elliott has seized the No. 1 job, Clouston has to get Pascal Leclaire back into a game sooner rather than later. Clouston can't let Leclaire, who hasn't played since leaving an Oct. 14 game against the Carolina Hurricanes with a groin injury, become a bucket of rust on the bench, which would happen if he sat there much longer. Besides, Leclaire (0-2-1) did start the season well, even if he didn't get anything to show for it because his teammates were playing so poorly. Might as well see if he can pick off where he left off when he got hurt. Against this"

Leclaire playing waiting game

November 8

Ottawa Citizen

"After the Ottawa Senators finished their morning skate Saturday in Montreal, goaltender Pascal Leclaire patiently went through a series of interviews in French for media outlets in his hometown. Then, he was asked to more or less repeat himself for English-speaking audiences. "It's OK, I have time," Leclaire said. Welcome back to Leclaire's future. As the Senators have once again found a winning rhythm with Brian Elliott in goal, Leclaire finds himself in the same place as he was during his injury riddled 2009-10 season: waiting for any opportunity to get back in net. It's deja vu all over again, as Elliott has taken advantage of opportunity to seize the top job after Leclaire was"

Sens' Leclaire pines to play

November 8

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire celebrated his 28th birthday Sunday. At this point, that's about all he has to smile about. With the Senators finally above .500 and goalie Brian Elliott on a roll, it would be surprising to see Leclaire make his return from his latest injury Tuesday against the visiting Thrashers. The Senators don't want to tinker with much as they ride a three-game winning streak, and that would include Elliott, who has started 11 straight games and has gotten better during that stretch. That leaves Leclaire, who has been good to go since last week after being cleared to return from a groin injury, to sit and wait. It's not the position Leclaire wants to be in during the final year of his"

Leclaire healed, but Elliott to start vs. Isles

November 4

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire is going to have to wait. The Senators goaltender might be ready for action after recovering from a groin injury, but coach Cory Clouston doesn't feel any need to make a change at this juncture with the club coming off a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday. That means Brian Elliott will start Thursday against the New York Islanders."

Leclaire set to return to Senators' lineup

November 2

Ottawa Citizen

"As injuries go, this one wasn't bad for Pascal Leclaire. The Ottawa Senators goaltender was out only of action for just two weeks. Compared to some of the injuries Leclaire has had during his pro hockey career this was a mere boo-boo. However, this one was no less aggravating than any other injury. So it is with relief that the Senators will welcome back the veteran goaltender for Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leclaire hasn't played since injuring a groin in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 14. He's expected to serve as backup to Brian Elliott Tuesday, but could be back in net as early as Thursday night against the New York Islanders. "It is"

Leclaire back on skates

October 22

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire is inching closer to a return. The Senators goaltender returned to the ice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a groin injury last Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes at home. He didn't skate with equipment on, but is making progress. There is no timetable for his return, but coach Coach Clouston revealed that Leclaire may have suffered a small tear. "It's still a injury that you can't really predict. It's almost a day-by-day situation," said Clouston. "He progressed and did some things (Thursday). If he comes out of the skate properly, he just keeps advancing. Hopefully, he won't be much longer." Goalie Brian Elliott is expected to start against the Sabres"

Leclaire's bad luck creates opportunity for Elliott

October 16

Ottawa Citizen

"Professional hockey is no place for sentimentality. Take Brian Elliott, for example. He may feel downright sorry that Ottawa Senators teammate and fellow goalie Pascal Leclaire has been laid low by another injury, this one a groin pull that will keep him out at least until next week, but it's also a terrific opportunity for Elliott to reach out and win the No. 1 job, so it's a chance he has to embrace. "It's kind of how it works in every league," Elliott said Friday. "You see a lot of injuries and guys getting chances. Sometimes you take advantage of them and thrive, and sometimes you don't. "There's still pressure and you really can't think of how you got there, just what you're going to"

Injury, insult go together for Leclaire

October 16

Ottawa Citizen

columnist Wayne Scanlan

"By now, Pascal Leclaire doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Senator Fan doesn't know whether to cry or scream. This season was supposed to be different. This was the season Leclaire would shake the handle of Hapless Harry. He would stay healthy, assume the No. 1 goaltending job that was supposed to be his when the Ottawa Senators traded for him in February, 2009. He would earn a little of that coin -- $4.8 million U.S. in 2010-11, the final year of the three-year deal he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets -- that puts him only behind the Senators big-money boys named Spezza, Alfredsson, Gonchar and Kovalev. When the Senators traded for Leclaire, the book on him was talented goalie,"

Leclaire's injury opens door for Elliott

October 16

Ottawa Citizen

"Professional hockey is no place for sentimentality. Take Brian Elliott, for example. He may feel downright sorry that Ottawa Senators teammate and fellow goalie Pascal Leclaire has been felled by another injury, this one a groin pull that will keep him out at least until next week. That said, it's also a terrific opportunity for Elliott to reach out and win the No. 1 job, so it's a chance he has to embrace. "It's kind of how it works in every league," Elliott said Friday. "You see a lot of injuries and guys getting chances. Sometimes you take advantage of them and thrive, and sometimes you don't. There's still pressure and you really can't think of how you got there, just what you're going"

Leclaire bitten by familiar injury bug

October 15

Ottawa Citizen

"Here we go again. When will the injuries to Pascal Leclaire stop? The Senators goaltender lasted a mere two minutes six seconds into Thursday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes before leaving with what team officials described as a lower-body injury. He was replaced by Brian Elliott. There was no immediate word on the severity of the injury, which occurred when he was bumped by either Jeff Skinner or Tom Kostopoulos during a scrum around the net. "I don't know at all what length of time or how serious it is," coach Cory Clouston said. "I don't know if it was a save or the guy kind of landed on him. I didn't even know he was hurt. The whistle went and I looked back and he was"

Sens should stick with Leclaire

October 14

Ottawa Sun

"He's looked sharp, focused, quick ... better than he did all last season. One untimely Alex Ovechkin shot aside, Pascal Leclaire has been exactly what the Senators need him to be. And if Cory Clouston doesn't start Leclaire Thursday against the Hurricanes, it could very well be his first mishandling of Senators goalies since March 4 in Carolina, when Leclaire, making his first start in two months, was inappropriately pulled after giving up two goals on five shots, neither of which were his fault. Leclaire's confidence never recovered from that whipping. No, goaltending has not been the reason for Ottawa's stutter start to the 2010-11 campaign. The problem has been at the other end of the"

Do Sens turn to Leclaire again?

October 13

Ottawa Sun

columnist Bruce Garrioch

"So, what now in the net? The Senators picked up a point in Monday's 3-2 OT loss to the Washington Capitals, but Pascal Leclaire's grasp on the No. 1 goalie job doesn't seem so certain. After playing three games in four nights and giving a solid effort in the loss to the Caps at the Verizon Center, the Senators enjoyed a day off Tuesday before getting ready to face the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday. Leclaire gave up a bad winning goal to Washington's Alex Ovechkin and heard about it from coach Cory Clouston following the game. The Senators are now winless in three games to start the season. "We need him to make that last one," said Clouston. "It was very disappointing. To me, if you're"

Hot Leclaire stays in net against Caps

October 12

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire is staying in the net. The Senators goaltender will make his third straight start as Ottawa tries to get its first victory of the season at the Verizon Centre Monday. Leclaire has stopped 67-of-74 shots, has a .905 save-percentage but still hasn't gotten a victory. He has been the club's best player and there is no reason to take him out of the net. The Senators will make changes to the lines. Alex Kovalev skated with Peter Regin and Ryan Shannon while Zack Smith played the right side with Mike Fisher and Nick Foligno. Jesse Winchester will be a healthy scratch."

At least the goalie played well

October 9

Ottawa Citizen

"Where was the buzz? Not in the building. The Ottawa Senators came out flat, and so did their fans. This was the grand occasion of the home opener? For long stretches, it felt more like Game 49 on a Monday night in the dead of winter. A capacity crowd expressed frustration, waiting for someone other than Pascal Leclaire to give the Buffalo Sabres a hard time. "Wake up!" a leather-lunged spectator shouted at Ottawa players during a quiet lull late in the second period. As if on cue, winger Chris Neil out-battled Jordan Leopold for a puck near the centre boards, Jarkko Ruutu set up Chris Kelly in front, and the Senators were finally on the board. Game tied. Game on. Too little too late in a"

Last chance for Leclaire?

October 3

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire, carrying some dreadful numbers after his two preseason games, gets his last chance tonight to claim the Ottawa Senators' No. 1 goaltending job. He's probably going to need a big game to win over Senators coach Cory Clouston. Leclaire has lost both of his starts, 4-2 to the Montreal Canadiens and 4-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has a 4.14 goals-against average and .867 save percentage. While he has had his good moments, and while he really can't be blamed for most of the goals he has allowed, his numbers are decidedly unflattering. Clouston said he'd like to start the season with his No. 1 goalie in net. Leclaire could answer the question either way tonight. It might be"

Sens still searching for goalie

October 1

Ottawa Sun

"The Senators are still looking out for a No. 1. While the Senators kick off the regular season next Friday against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Place, neither Pascal Leclaire nor Brian Elliott has stepped up to seize the top goalie job. Elliott is expected to start Friday in the first game of the back-to-back series against the Rangers in New York and Leclaire will play Saturday at home. Senators coach Cory Clouston would like one of them to take charge. So, will whoever starts the first game against the Sabres be the club's No. 1 goalie? "I guess in the perfect world, yep," said Clouston following a skate at Scotiabank Place. "But that's not even for sure. There are injuries, there"

Leclaire looking out for No. 1

September 24

Ottawa Sun

"The sound of the boobirds may still be ringing in Carey Price's ears, but Pascal Leclaire says it's too early for fans to roast the goalie. Leclaire, who will play in Friday's night's game in Montreal, doesn't believe Price has much to worry about, despite the reaction during a 4-2 Candiens loss to Boston on Wednesday. Price faced just nine shots. "It's only a few people who say that (stuff) to get people going," said Leclaire. "I'm surprised. I haven't heard about (any controversy). It's Canada and every day people say something. "It's the first game of the year (for the Habs), it doesn't even count and people aren't happy. "The next game, the same guy will make 45 saves and be the best"

Veteran eyes will analyze Senators' goaltending battle

September 19

Ottawa Citizen

"Goaltenders Pascal Leclaire and Mike Brodeur stood side-by-side outside the crease as the first group of Ottawa Senators skaters went through their warm-up laps to open training camp Saturday morning. New goaltending coach Rick Wamsley was offering them a few words of wisdom. A few hours later, Wamsley went through it all over again, this time with Brian Elliott and Robin Lehner. Wamsley, a veteran of 14 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs and an NHL and AHL coach for the past 17 years, is the latest expert charged with finding answers to the Senators' perpetual problem of inconsistent goaltending. More specifically, the task is"

Senators hire Leclaire's former goaltending coach

July 29

Ottawa Citizen

"Rick Wamsley's 12-year National Hockey League playing career was a key factor in Bryan Murray's decision to hire him as the goalie coach of the Ottawa Senators, but so was Wamsley's relationship with Pascal Leclaire, considered the team's No. 1 goalie. Wamsley, who was the Columbus Blue Jackets' goaltending coach for seven years, worked with Leclaire from 2001, when he was drafted by the Blue Jackets, through the 2005-06 season, after which Wamsley, now 51, left to become the goaltending coach for the St. Louis Blues. "We wanted a guy with experience," Murray said. "We thought having a goaltender that played in the league and had a good career . . . was one of the things that led us to"

Leclaire basking in the glow of win

April 24

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire was a saviour Thursday night at Mellon Arena. He will have to walk on water — albeit the frozen kind — again if the Senators are going to stay alive in their first- round playoff series against the Penguins. Making his first career playoff start, Leclaire, 27, rewrote the Senators' record book by facing 59 shots and making 56 saves to help the club stave off elimination with Game 6 of the series set for Saturday at Scotiabank Place. Not bad for a guy who had lost his starting job to Brian Elliott in mid-January and had only won one of his starts in 2010. But after Elliott turned in a disappointing effort in Game 4's 7-4 loss, the Senators were in need of a hero. Leclaire"

Penguins' Fleury and Senators' Leclaire reverse momentum

April 23

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

columnist Gene Collier

"Standing 180 feet from each other, they were in wildly different circumstances for two people charged with doing exactly the same thing. They were there to stop the puck, Marc-Andre Fleury and Pascal Leclaire, and stop it they did. Eighty-two times through four periods of playoff hockey, one more spectacular than the other, then vice versa, then verse visa. At its apex, the hottest Game 5 temperatures had to withstood by Fleury, and for that he was the better equipped, having withstood Stanley Cup forging temperatures only last June. So in last night's first overtime period, the Ottawa Senators, left for dead as they vacated Canada late Tuesday night, fired 11 shots at the Penguins' net."

Ottawa goalie Leclaire a surprise starter, hero

April 23

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Every series needs a hero, and if the Ottawa Senators are to ultimately stun the Penguins and end Mellon Arena's life six weeks earlier than the defending Stanley Cup champions would like, Pascal Leclaire will be the person most responsible. The Ottawa goalie was named a surprise starter Thursday morning and, with Friday morning looming, produced maybe the greatest performance in Senators history while leading his squad to a 4-3 triple-overtime win over the Penguins. Leclaire, shaky all season and ultimately replaced between the pipes by Brian Elliott, was simply spectacular in Game 5. In the longest game in Senators history, Leclaire's 56 saves represented another team record. "He was"

Sens can see Leclaire-ly now

April 23

Ottawa Sun

"Talk about tossing a guy to the wolves. In making his first-ever playoff start, Pascal "Chocolate" Leclaire was hardly prepared. Since unfairly being pulled after allowing two goals on the first five shots March 4 in Carolina, Leclaire had made five starts, winning just one and allowing 18 goals. " It was a fun night," Leclaire said of the triple-OT thriller. "Guys blocked a lot of shots again. They had a few scoring chances right in the slot, and the guys were there with the big blocks. "I did feel good. I felt confident in there. I felt calm. When it keeps going like that, it's exciting. You watch these games since you were a little kid, and you want to be part of them." Of his previous"

Leclaire or Elliott? Coach must choose

April 22

Ottawa Sun

"So who will start? Pascal Leclaire or Brian Elliott? Senators coach Cory Clouston has to make the biggest decision of his NHL coaching career for Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena. The Senators trail the series 3-1 in games and face elimination. The reality is it will likely be Elliott. He has been the starter throughout the series for the Senators, but on the other side of the equation he did allow four goals on 19 shots in Pittsburgh in Game 1, even though the Senators got the victory. "We know who we're starting. We'll announce it the day of the game like we always have," said Clouston. Pascal Leclaire, who got into last night's 7-4 loss in Game 4 when Elliott was"