Saturday Morning Scoop

The fact is, there will never be a deal that will “wow” Burke. We don’t have the skill on this team to get a “wow” deal. The only player that would even come close would be Kaberle. So, start pulling the trigger, start rebuilding with whatever you can get.

Is it worth trading Toskala at no-value rather than have him split duties with Pogge and hope he can either recover his ability so he can get traded (because why would he want to play back-up to Pogge?) or at least wait until there is market demand for goalies? I wouldn’t trade him for spare parts. The Leafs would need a back up even if they do call up Pogge and he steals the reigns. Besides, the Leafs have enough spare parts.

By the way, what is up with the Blue Jackets grabbing Doubbie from the Islanders’ waiver wire?? Something is going down over there.

Attended the Avs game last night, and have seen Raycroft several times this year. Yes, he’s posted decent numbers of late, but it’s more due to tighter team defensive play than any personal improvement, imo. He’s still prone to the soft goal. And that glove hand? (Heavy sigh…). Anyway, I’m happy for the guy, and hope Gus’ theory holds true, but all teams have scouts and I’m not sure they’ve seen a ‘reborn’ Andrew Raycroft.

That said, I think the biggest boost for Toskala would come from a backup that can truly challenge him. Fear of losing your job is a great motivator and good goalies can be had for cheap right now — someone with a short contract willing to fight for the opportunity. If we truly want to improve Toskala’s trade value, we need someone besides Cujo to push him harder, someone who’s a viable threat.

I don’t think giving Toskala away is the answer. Better to have him split time with Pogge. It’s not like cap space is much of an issue for the Leafs right now.

Next year being an Olympic year I’m sure that playing for Finland is in the back of Toskala’s mind somewhere.

Bring up Pogge and start off with using the same approach Boston was using with Thomas and Fernandez. It would seem the only way to motivate Toskala to a better performance.

As long as Pogge isn’t sitting on the bench as a back up I wouldn’t have any problem with that one….. if Toskala regains his form prior to the deadline ship him out… otherwise keep him till next year/this summer.

As for Antropov I think if I were Burke I might sit down with Nic and his agent and see what their expectations are for a new contract. Then determine which way to go with Antropov. He may be a trade able asset but will the return be worth giving up a top 6 forward? I thought his game last night with Hagman and Grabovski showed some promise (as a line).

Stajan will only be as good as his wingers. I still think he is a good third line centre at best…. same category as Moore. To me Mitchell has more offensive upside than Stajan.

The more I think about the more it looks like Burke will have very few options at the trade deadline. Other than Kaberle and Kubina (who he has stated the won’t ask to waive their no trade) there isn’t a whole lot there that would be on other teams wish lists. It’s more likely he will garner some draft picks by picking up other teams salary problems.

Cheers

Cheers

@Garrett Bauman

Unfortunately amounts of shots allowed is not the best indicator for the caliber of a defence core. In reality there is none. You cannot assume that since both goalies faced an equal amount of shots, that they also faced an equal amount of scoring chances. Toronto has regular lapses in their defensive play that often sees players walking into the goal area with clear scoring chances.

Toskala is a small goalie who is retreating into his net too often. The issue with Toronto is rather obvious, their goalie coaches are amongst the worse in the league. Toskala has been beat over top and between his legs more times than I wish to count this year. He never improves in these areas. Someone needs to step in and teach him better positioning, coming out to fight only appropriate goal chances, and to not drop down at the first sign of trouble.

Has anyone else noticed that when Toskala skates to a post to take away a scoring chance, often times he turns and faces the net when he is attempting to get back into position. He literally leaves an open net with his back facing outwards and takes twice the time to turn. This is an obvious mistake that the goalie coaches are just looking over. Just one of many issues being over looked in his current play.

Plain and simple Toskala can’t handle the pressure that was put on him before the season started. He was supposed to be our one bright light this year and has failed to do so. I think they should retain him until next season when we should have a much better defence core, since Burke builds from the defence out we should see a few more reliable defenceman than we have this season….I hope. Let Tosk and Pogge alternate every now and then and really see if Pogge is who we think, and if all goes well then maybe we can deal Tosk next deadline and actually get something of value, and then the rest is up to Pogge. Either way it is going to be a good deadline for Leafs fans.

I think now that Columbus has 3 goaltenders (just picked up Dubliewicz), the time may be right to go after Pascal Leclaire.

If Toskala can’t build any value this year, then I say hold onto him. Have him split time with Pogge next year — heck, back him up if Pogge wins the job. At $4M he’s overpaid but it doesn’t really matter since the Leafs will be under the cap by a good margin.

Then, next year, you get another chance at moving him at the deadline. Maybe he turns it around next season, or maybe some team gets desperate.

This trade was floated on 960 the Fan,in Calgary this morning.

Atropov and Kubina to the Rangers for Mark Staal and a 1st in either 2009 or 2010.

Don’t know who the guy was who said it,but I’m not sure if the Rangers would have the Cap space,let alone whether or not Staal would be someone they would move.As for Toskala,if the “fans” and “media” are so intent on running him out of town and ruining Pogge,by putting him in too early,how about this.Trade Vesa to Minnesota for Backstrom.No picks involved,and then when he walks July 1st,the Leafs have an extra $3.3 million to spend.

Garrett you sure you want Le claire? My friends in Columbus could very well be describing Toskala when they tell me that LeClaire is a moody un motivated player.He is also injury prone and the big problem is that he milks it.

WAIT and good thing will come. Whats the hurry.