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CuJo Should See More Action

by on March 9, 2009 in Uncategorized - 21 Comments

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Curtis Joseph gets the nod against the Ottawa Senators tonight. And his two wins have got me confident!

Let’s lay it on the table right away, the Leafs owe Martin Gerber nothing, and judging from his play this season (and the fact that he was acquired through re-entry waivers), he has done nothing to earn the role as a starting goaltender. Under the circumstances, Gerber should be content with playing half of the remaining games.

While many have pointed out the Gerber would perform well in Toronto due to having no pressure, the Leafs shouldn’t feel any need to appoint him as Vesa Toskala’s replacement. Instead, it would be more logical for the Leafs, considering their current position in the standings, to split the rest of the games with Joseph and Gerber 50/50. After all, Gerber definitely won’t be a Leaf next season, so the only thing he’s playing for is himself. The Leafs, who sit 11 points from 8th place, will not make the playoffs. Period. Their season is officially over, so what’s the harm in playing Joseph in more games? The Leafs have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Gerber may have the edge over Joseph in terms of value to the team (well, depending which way you look at it), but as I said, the Leafs have nothing to play for… except a top 5 pick. While it is still crucial for the Leafs to play their best goaltender, in respect to the team (telling them “Hey team! We’re tanking because you’re all incompetent! And Joseph, you can’t stop a beach ball, so get out there and start playing,” might not sit well with the team, or Free Agents who may be interested in coming here this summer), the Leafs have to start playing Joseph more compared to when he was backing-up Toskala.

The Leafs currently sit five points from a top 5 pick, and if they lose against the Senators tonight you can make that three points.

The Leafs can try winning the rest of their games, but I think I speak for the majority of Leafs/Tank Nation when I say, we’re NOT behind you every step of the way!

You stay classy, MLHS.

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  • Dan

    It’s not like Gerber is any better…
    Honestly, playing the best goalie between CuJo and Gerber… That is yet to be seen.
    .
    A once-franchise goaltender, one of the best to ever play the game, who has aged and slowed down but still capable of stealing games vs. an unproven, struggling starting goalie with nothing to show but disappointment from his previous teams, who can’t play under pressure.
    .
    CuJo ain’t that bad… Really, on any given night, either of them could lay an egg or steal the game so neither Tank Nation or Playoff Nation can really be bothered whether either one gets the start.

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  • taterchips

    Oh Ron, your comments are dear to my heart. Go Sens! er…Leafs!!!

    Nice to hear Tavares on AM640 today talking about watching the standings. And mentioning about the Leafs tanking into the first pick via lottery: It could still happen (to paraphrase).

    When it boils down to it, as Dan gets at, we have 2 good goalies whos careers are likely done at the end of this year. I’m not sure if either is better right now, so in terms of waxing nostalgic, I would rather see Cujo get the starts. A little chance for glory before he puts the pads on mothballs. Now, let’s do some sinking!!!

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  • taterchips

    And please don’t tell me I’m not a real fan for wanting a lottery pick. Blame Ron. ;)

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  • Roacho

    Cujo deserves respect. He’s at the end of his career and I believe he should get some starts. I’m assuming Gerber was brought in cause Pogge’s helping the Marlies make the playoffs. With that said I think Cujo and Gerber should split the games. I’m hoping they tank it big time. This week vs. bottom feeders are monumental games. With the injuries mounting hopefully tank nation will get its wish. I’d want Tavares or Hedman, but would be happy with Matt Duchene, who looks very capable.

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  • BarryB

    and why not Poggee again? just so I understand.

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  • Ron Guillet

    Barry,

    Considering the Marlies are in a battle to keep their playoff spot (only 3 points separate them and 9th place), Pogge is better off staying with the Marlies for experience. He’s now performing under pressure, and if they do make the playoffs, it’ll be HIS team, not Clemmenson’s…like last year.

    When Gerber and Joseph are no longer with the Leafs next season, Pogge can move up as Toskala’s back-up, with some AHL playoff experience under his belt now.

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  • twiztedmike
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  • king

    I honestly feel Tavares badly wants to come to Toronto. If we can just somehow push ourselves into the lottery I will be content at the chance of at least getting a shot.

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  • Jordan

    I cant believe we went on that damn winning streak….I want Tavares on the leafs sooooo bad….I wonder what it would take to trade up to first place if it was even possible lol

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  • Jes

    I wont mind seeing Tavares on the Isles. They need a player like him badly, I definitely hope it’s neither the Thashers or the Bolts. I would puke if either got him. Tavares on the Isles could bring back shades of Bossy back to a franchise that needs another one of those players.

    I’m realistic and don’t think we have any chance at the top pick unless Burke does some really magic and or over payment that includes our very own Schenn plus our 1st.

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  • vesku35

    a coach would never alter his line-up to try to find a losing combination ron

    this is ridiculous

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  • Jes

    In regards to the actual topic, I would like to see Cujo get most of the starts, he will likely retire after this season. He deserves to play the last batch before it all ends for him.

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  • Ron Guillet
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  • Roacho

    GO Sens!!! Leafs need to drop big time in the standings.

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  • king

    well we have 15 games left… we need 79 points or less from past experiences to get into the lottery. So I guess if we go 6-9 … we will make the lottery and then we can hope for the best.

    For those that think we can still make the playoffs (I was one of them until the Edmonton game lol) then Leafs practically need to go 14-1. I don’t see that happening ever let alone this year lol.

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  • Jes

    I think the most realistic spot is us going into the lottery with a 9th to 6th spot. I would be thrilled if we somehow moved up a few spots in the lottery and ended up with a 4th or 5th pick.

    2 regulation losses in a row now. Lets keep it up lol.

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  • Roacho

    I think the Leafs will finish with the 5th worst record. The mounting injuries will ensure that the Leafs will drop in the standings. If they can finish in this spot they may be able to move up in the draft to get a player of significance in the top 3.

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  • dan

    If we lose to NYI and TB this week…. NYI we might put up a good fight but TB has had our # all year… and CLG will smoke us on Sat… That should be a 5 game losing streak… drop down to 4th or 5th worst overall

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  • LeafsGurl

    I think CuJo should play more games for the remainder of the season. He hasnt played well at all, minus the one game he did. If the Leafs want a good round pick then they should stick CuJo in net and hope he plays like he always has…badly. Meanwhile, good for Gerber for coming into Toronto and playing the way he has.

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  • vesku35

    okay, ron, but you don’t give any discernible reason as to why the leafs should play joseph more besides the intimation that he will help the tank effort.

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  • Ron Guillet

    Vesku,

    As I said in the blog, Gerber has not proved to be a dependable starter in this league. The Leafs, knowing that Gerber will not be returning next season, don’t have to play him as much as they did with Toskala.

    Joseph is their back-up, so considering Gerber is NOT the goalie Toskala is, why wouldn’t the Leafs play Joseph more?

    Joseph played against the Sens, which would of never happened if Toskala was still playing, so the Leafs appear to be doing just that.

    Why would the Leafs overplay Gerber? You might as well play both goaltenders…Gerber will probably be the starter, but Joseph will play more than he did behind Toskala.

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