Worst Goaltending in Years
This season has brought a number of trials and tribulations to this version of the buds. A new coach, a new general manager, a proclamation of missing the playoffs and 10 rookies who have played at least 1 game, 6 who have played 20 or more and 4 who have played 65 or more. The one area of the squad that was expected to be a strength was between the pipes. Saying it has failed to live up to it’s billing would be an understatement worthy of a gold medal.
When you look at the GA column of the NHL standings, you can get a decent grasp on how well a team’s goaltending has been. That number for the Leafs currently stands at 287, good enough for worst in the NHL. Atlanta sits next with 271. When compared to the best in the league, the Boston Bruins, it is a scary statistic. The Bruins have allowed over 100 less goals at 181. Looking at these numbers, it’s not a challenge to understand why the Leafs have lost more games then they have won.
It can be easy to simply look at that statistic and make a judgment on a team’s goaltending, but to really understand you have to look further than that. How many of those 287 goals this year have been soft? How many have been back breaking? How many have come seconds after scoring a go ahead, tying the game again? How about goals in quick succession? Two and sometimes even three goals have been scored on the Leafs this year far too many times in just a couple of minutes. This is what you call a lack of clutch goaltending.
Outside of a 10 game stretch in February where Toskala was arguably the best goaltender in the league, the goaltending has been atrocious. Joseph was extremely inconsistent, as was Pogge when called upon. Gerber has been his usual Jekyll and Hyde self since his arrival through waivers at the deadline.
Think back to October and November. The comeback kids we called them. Why was that? 2-0 and 3-0 leads were a regular occurrence. When the Leafs did managed to score first, it was typically followed by a quick response or a weak goal later that any professional goalie worth his paycheck needs to stop. It’s been backbreaking all year.
Yet these kids have persevered. They have fought through weak goaltending and managed to make many games close and even came back to win many of them.
This is why I am looking forward to next season. When it was announced that Toskala was fighting a nagging injury all year, it makes it easier to understand why he was playing the way he had been. Add much improved clutch goaltending to next years squad of persevering kids that have a season under the belt and you can see the beginnings of a hint of optimism. I have to keep it in check however, as I’ve been burnt before.
April 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Good post, Brad. That said, for all the times this team fell behind early because of what seemed like poor goaltending, Ron Wilson put it best when he said that any team can play well pressure free. This team came out flat on numerous occasions only to try the heroic comeback when there seemed like nothing to play for.
Still, no two ways around it, the goaltending’s been atrocious. If we had a true no 1 that could bail out this young squad now and again, I have zero doubt that we would be in a late playoff position right now. C’est la vie
April 5th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Good article Brad. While improved goaltending is an absolute must for the leafs, I still think there are other areas that need work before I become optimistic about next year.
April 5th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
@Richard
Certainly there’s more than just this one aspect, but this one is the most important one. At least IMO.
April 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
…goaltending shmoaltending…
April 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
BB needs to sign a goalie that will push Toskala. And that obviously is not Cujo or Gerbs. I know Toskala will be much better next year, but I don’t think he is a goalie capable of playing 60-70 games a year at a high level. I think a good guy for us to sign would be Anderson.
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Our goaltending was awful, but what does that say about our defense? You can probably attribute a lot of that to the defense which is suspect almost every game where we give up a lot of goals. Just look at the game in Philly. The Leafs didn’t show up at all in the first and looked more like an expansion team than a team that was not too far from a playoff spot not long ago…
April 5th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I think the goaltending is definitely the problem, not the defence. Take this article by Scott Cullen, where our defensive corps is ranked a middle-of-the-pack 18th:
http://tsn.ca/columnists/scott_cullen/?id=273658
Of course Cullen’s formulas can always be disputed, but our defense, and our defensive forwards, certainly haven’t been bad enough to warrant last place in the league. There are certain saves an NHL-level goalie has to make. Deflections are going to happen. Screens are going to happen. Interference is going to happen. We used to have goaltenders like Belfour, Potvin and (a younger) Cujo who could fight through the nightly offensive attack with much weaker defenses in front of them. Nowadays it almost seems like we’ve gotten used to bad goaltending. Just because the home team colour commentator says the last goal wasn’t the goalie’s fault doesn’t make it true.
April 5th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
No I think both goaltending and defensive play from the forwards and defencemen need much improvement. How many times did we here Wilson say the likes of “the team left the goalies out to dry”? About as many times he has said, “a goalie must stop that”.
April 5th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
[...] Worst Goaltending in Years : Maple Leafs Hot Stove [...]
April 6th, 2009 at 1:24 am
It’s hard to argue the Leafs’ goaltending has been amongst the poorest in the league this year. But on a team with that many holes it’s tough to get down on them too. How would Pogee have done if called up by Columbus? Toronto can be as carerful as they want in bringing him along – but if his NHL games are for Toronto and not a sound defensive team, there is no gentle introduction to the league.
I too was happy to hear of Toskala’s injury, because at the top of his game, we all know he can be much, much better than he was this year.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:40 am
What’s still got me scratching my head about Toskala is that his best stretch came *just* before he shut it down for the season. You’d think somebody playing with a nagging injury all year long wouldn’t be able to play his best right at the end.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Ken – Its a weird injury for sure. I have it in my right hip/groin right now from Muay Thai and its nagging but its all over the place. If you rest it for a few days it can feel great then tighten back up in a second. Its horrible and feels on the verge of pulling any second. I tend to relax too much when I work out trying not to pull it and I think thats what Toskala was doing. He will be back, Im sure of it because its the worst injury I ever had and I imagine its the same for him.
Cullen’s number are usually pretty close to fact and it looks like Toronto is a half decent defensive team. Schenn will be a bit better and VanRyn should be healthy so it should only improve. Ask youself the last time you remember a goalie making a gamesaving save for the leafs other then Cujo on Ovechkin that time? I cant remember and thats the problem. I watched the Boston/philly game yesterday and Thomas was EVERYWHERE making insane saves to get the 1-0 shutout win. The anouncers were not even praising him either, like he was expected to because they are use to it. We need that kind of goaltending
April 6th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Had Toskala played well this year I have little doubt that our defense would have been ranked higher than 18th in the league. Having confidence in your gate keeper certainly would make things easier for the D. On the other hand, the Red Wings represent an example where solid team play (i.e. having possession of the puck for the majority of the game) can compensate for sub-par goaltending.
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I too am a bit cautious correlating Toskala’s nagging injury to his lackluster play this year. As already mentioned numerous times BB needs to sure up the goaltending situation (including depth in prospects). While we are talking about the Leafs stealing away Nash, why not add Luongo to that list? Yes it is a far fetched idea but imagine what the Leafs’ record would be had Luongo been in the net for the Buds. Ahh, one can dream…
April 6th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Toskala is capable of being a starting netminder, but I don’t think Burke will keep him around. I think there’s a possibility we could see Burke acquire J.S. Gigeure from the Ducks in the off season, and also pick up super Swede Jonas Jonas Gustavsson.
Goaltending is definitely something Burke will key in on. He’s already stated he builds his teams from the net out. So if anyone thinks he’s not automatically looking to improve in goal? You’re in for a major surprise.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Burke will no doubt add a solid back up goalie, maybe even trade for a Josh Harding or someone of that nature to push both Toskala and Pogge. Should be interesting though to see what Burke does for the back end, as that is the position he says you build from so you know he will address it and not just resign Gerber or something like that.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Josh HArding is a better goalie than Pogge or Toskala – seriously. He wouldn’t push them, as much as take their jobs
April 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
@neil you ain’t kidding. By the way, has anyone noticed how the last few years it’s been impossible for teams to A) trade goalies away and B) find a starting netminder if they lack one? You’d think it would be one or the other, but instead quality goalies like Bryzgalov and Huet have to go for nothing or next-to-nothing while teams like Colorado or Ottawa cast around desperately for a keeper.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
If Burke wants a considerable improvement next year, I believe he will acquire another goalie. But look at what is on the horizon. Roberto Luongo who may the best goaltender at the moment could take a good young Leafs team and make them a contender. He still has not signed an extension in Vancouver and he has mentioned that he would like to play for an original six team before he retires. All we have to do is wait for him to become an UFA. Money should not be an issue with a young group.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Nope – not kidding at all. Stud of a goalie, who’s being squeezed out by the more seasoned Backstrom. His win/loss is poor this season, but his sv.% and GAA don’t lie. Good numbers as a back up this year, and overall in his NHL career.
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Again – like Anderson – he is tall, lanky, and will be cheap. Unlike Toskala, (and Anderson) he is a 25 year old RFA back-up, not a 29 year-old UFA back up. I think there is a distinct difference in motivation there.
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But don’t expect an offer sheet from Burke. We all know how he feels about those. It will take some slick trading, and unfortunately I don’t see Minny letting Harding go. ‘Less they want to pay Toskala 4 mill to back up his Finnish commrade – swap goalies. What’s the chances?
April 6th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Poni and Stajan would both fit in pretty well on that team and Blake is a Minnesota boy. All three players are considered disposable in Toronto and God knows the Wild need forwards. Minnesota’s choice of one of the three for Harding? One of the three plus Pogge for Harding and a depth prospect (like Cody Almond)? Probably not happening. And while we’re dreaming I’d like Boogard and Clutterbuck too…
April 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
With the way Poni has clicked with Grabovski and Kulemin…I fail to see how he’s “disposable.” We need mentors for our younger players, and it seems both Grabovski and Kulemin are learning, and playing very well with Ponikarovsky.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
You may not consider him disposable, but I’m pretty sure Toronto managment does. He would have been gone to Nashville at the deadline if Burke hadn’t run out of time. Antropov and Moore were setting good examples too and that didn’t save them a ticket out of town. I’m not criticizing these guys, I’m just guessing they don’t fit into Burke’s plans going forward.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
If anyone out there think the Leafs can make the the playoffs with Toskala as there starting Goalie better wake-up ,that injury is only an excuse its giving you false hope. He’s a back-up not a starter….
April 6th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Harding plays for Lemaire. I could have a 2.00 GAA and a 920 SV% playing in that system and I am a short,near sighted couch potato.
Besides,we won’t need a good goalie for a couple of years,we have Toskala (he is more than adequate). I don’t see Burke making any bold moves on the goalie front,he has more pressing needs to attend to. No way he signs an RFA with less than 50 games under his belt.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Leaf Nation has done a full swing from over-valuing their players, to under-valuing them. I done see how Poni, a 60some point player is “disposable”.
Though I cringed at times with a few of his defensive brain farts, there’s no disputing his value offensively, and at 29, he still has a few years of production yet. Burke got robbed getting a 2ND for Antropov, and I would hope that if he trades Poni, there would be at least a first+ coming our way. A draft pick remember might get you a good player that can produce the same, or even more points, but chances are, given past stats, that you’ll get zero points out of it.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
If I were the Leafs, I would forget about the proposed Cujo for goalie coach post-retirement, and bring in Belfour for that position. From what I remember he was a technically superior goalie to most I’ve seen guarding our net. I bet he has a lot to teach our young net minders about positioning, which seems to be their biggest weakness.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Poni may be putting up great numbers, but if Toronto couldn’t land a first for Antropov I doubt they’ll land one for Ponikarovsky. Is he better than any player a second-round pick might turn into? Probably, yes. But we saw what value the market put on Toronto’s best forwards a month ago. Again, I’m not trying to under-value Poni here, I’m just pointing out that he’s likely to get traded before the rebuild is out. Does anyone here really think Burke considers him “indisposable?”
April 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
“Is he better than any player a second-round pick might turn into? Probably, yes”
How many players picked in the second round, make it, let alone put up over 60 points? I’d let you hazard a guess.
Burke got robbed, ’cause the same applied for Antropov. Blame the dwindling cap for that one. BB should only trade for prospects if he can’t get a worthy pick.
I agree with you that he’s likely to traded, but absolutely NOT for a second, if BB knows what he’s doing.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
blue max,
i dont think anyone is undervaluing these players. you need to keep in mind that certain players stats are inflated due to the fact that this is not a good team, and the fact they are receiving more ice time than they would ever get on a good team. would poni have 60+ points skating on a top team’s 3rd line? probably not. same goes for guys like stajan, and as we saw after the deadline dominic moore. getting a second for poni sounds about right and burkie should not be criticized for taking it. it helps restock the cupboard and opens up a roster spot for guys like bozak, hanson, tlusty, stapleton or any other young guy the leafs may sign/land between now and the beginning of next season. you can find some very good players in the 2nd round (statsny, backes etc). while most may not pan out, many don’t in the first round too even if burke manages to get a late first for poni or whoever else. thats not to say i would have a problem with keeping him. he seems to have found some chemistry with grabo and kulemin so that could be a solid 2nd line next year and he could always be dealt at the deadline if burke doesnt want to bring him back the following year. also you need to keep in mind poni has always been incredibly hot and cold. whos to say this isnt just an extended hot streak?
April 6th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
That “playing on a bad team” argument holds not much water. Take an elite player, and give him 3RD line icetime, and lets see if he gets that much of a production going either.
I recall him playing on our top line (with Sundin), and not getting as many points. Those were top line minutes back then too right?
Any GM that would trade a player like that should be from a position of strength.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I’m not saying Ponikarovsky is ‘indisposable,’ but I am saying we’re better off keeping him next year if he’s having such a great effect on two of our more promising players. Grabovski and Kulemin are gaining more and more confidence every game. As far as him going to Nashville that was before the line with Grabovski and Kulemin started clicking so well for us. If they continue to be productive next season, I see no need to trade him. We can’t just fill this team with sophomores and rookies, and expect our younger players to grow properly. I know some fans have this strange vendetta against Ponikarovsky, but the simple fact is that he’s been productive this year, doesn’t have a huge cap hit, and works well with Grabovski and Kulemin. Does he have a future on this team two or three years from now? No, probably not…but his aid in raising our youth will be valuable.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Younger is great, but i think we should bring back Clemenson to backup Toskala….he’s already proven that he’s up for the challenge to take the reigns……that would push Toskala like it did when we had Raycroft. I can’t see Jersey resigning him, cause i think they’ve got younger goalies in the system.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Speaking of Dominic Moore:
Team GP G A P +/-
Leafs 63 12 29 41 -1
Sabres 14 1 3 4 -2
Dominic is still taking ~2 shots/game as he did as a Leaf.
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There is some truth behind transient inflation of stats when you take a 3rd/4th line player and give him top-line minutes. How about that 2nd round pick for them apples? I think that we can all agree that no team was going to hand the Leafs a 1st round pick for Antropov at the trade deadline. Therefore, BB got the most he could for Antropov while committing a minor crime in the Moore deal. While logical arguments could be made for Ponikarovsky potentially deserving a 1st round pick based on his stats, reality dictates that 2nd rd + or decent prospect is the likely ceiling for him. More the reason to keep him. I would argue that Kubina has a better chance at garnering a 1st round pick based on his stats, experience, and character. But, seriously, would you as a GM give up your 1st pick in the upcoming draft for either of these players? Name me the GM and plead your case.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
@Wook JFJ.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Burke would have gotten a 1ST, had it not been for the worries over the impact of the economy two seasons from now. He got robbed, but to be fair he couldn’t help but get robbed in this instance. Why would a GM that has a problem with secondary scoring behind his top line not give up a middling, or later first round pick, for a player that has proven he can put up some good numbers, has decent size, and can be physical? I don’t have the numbers unfortunately, but how many 2ND line forwards have more points than Poni right now? Other than the ones on Detroit, Boston, the Sharks, maybe Calgary, and Vancouver, I just haven’t seen that many, and we’re talking 22+ teams here. Where would he fit in Ottawa, in Edmonton, in Atlanta, and so on? I bet you he cuts it on the top two lines there doesn’t he?
I know what you guys are saying, but the ONLY reason we don’t get a 1st is the future cap, not that he’s not worth it. A 2ND and a prospect is not a bad return either.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Poni is underrated. A consistent 20-goal scorer, top plus/minus among the forwards and big enough not to get pushed around. I’d like to see him use his size more and he has taken his fair share of bad penalties in the past but at ~$2.5 m (currently), he’s the only pending UFA (next season) on the team who has earned a new offer. A career Leafer thus far, who is proving to be a good mentor for the young Russians. Move him at the deadline if you can’t sign him, otherwise keep him.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:03 am
I HIGHLY doubt that Ponikarovsky is going to be moved at any point before the trading deadline next season, at that point however, who’s to say.
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Stajan and Kaberle, however, I would personally put a guarantee that they will not be attending our training camp when it opens in September. Whether they’re moved at the draft, before-hand, or after, that’s the question.
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Mayers, Stempniak, Van Ryn (due to the lack of durability), and especially Blake (if Burke is willing to pursue the buy-out option, which I think he might) are the wild cards here.
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But hey, Burkie can do whatever the heck he wants to do, I’ve got all the confidence in the world in him and his management group to do the right thing. Which is something I’ve never, ever had before. :0
April 7th, 2009 at 10:33 am
@ leafs lunch
Why do yout hink he would buyout our best player? I dont get it. I feel like im taking crazy pills here like on Zoolander. Incase you didnt see it heres my post from the last article:
You say Blake is so called “untradeable” but who the fuck cares, he can provide experience, plus he put up 25 goals and 60 points this year and if you look at Mike Fishers 12 goals and 30 points….Blake is a good player who is always overlooked because his contract was thought to be too much, but think about it….is 4 mil really too much? hes some guys making about 4 mil this year:
Jason Blake 25g 35a 60p 4 mil
Ryan Malone 26 g 19 a 45p 4.5mil
Mike Fisher 12g 18a 30 p 4.2 mil
Patrice Bergeron 7g 29a 36 p 4.75 mil
Daymond Langkow 20g 28a 48p 4.5 mil
Rod Brind’Amour 15g 33a 48p 3.6 mil
Milan Hajduk 26g 29a 55p 3.9 mil
Kristian Huselius 21g 35a 56p 4.75 mil
Dustin Penner 17g 20a 27p 4.25 mil
Shawn Horcoff 16g 33a 49p 3.6 mil
Nathan Horton 21g 22a 43p 4 mil
Cory Stillman 16g 31a 47p 3.53 mil
Jarret Stoll 18g 23a 41p 3.6 mil
Michal Handzus 17g 22a 39p 4 mil
Pierre-Marc Bouchard 16g 30a 46p 4.08 mil
David Legwand 20g 22a 42p 4.5 mil
Brian Rolston 14g 15a 29P 5.06 mil
Brian Gionta 19g 39a 58p 4 mil
Markus Naslund 23g 20a 43p 4 mil
Mike Comrie 10g 16a 26p 4 mil
Scott Hartnell 30g 30a 60p 4.2 mil
Miroslav Satan 17g 19a 36p 3.5 mil
Jordan Staal 21g 21a 42p 4 mil
Bill Guerin 20g 27a 47p 4.5 mil
Milan Michalek 22g 33a 55p 4.33 mil
Keith Tkachuk 22g 20a 42p 4 mil
Vaclav Prospal 19g 26a 45p 3.5 mil
Pavol Demitra 19g 32 a 51p 4 mil
Michael Nylander 8g 22a 30p 4.875 mil
NOW HONESTLY, WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT FROM HIM……hes a top line player IMO because allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll these players had better line mates then Blake and still didnt put up the numbers be did. Hardly anyone on this list either is mentioned as “overpaid” “unmovable”….this is stupid, Blake is the best play on the leafs now and they need him to stick around
Blake is one of our three top line guys if he plays like this next year. He scored 40 goals playing with Alexi Yashin, imagine what he could do with another star player
April 7th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Drafting a goalie this year won’t help and everyone we have right now won’t push Toskalol to play better, IMO.
BB should sign Emery (proven playoff performer) he’s been blackballed (no pun intended) and will probably sign for cheap. With him in the lineup, Toskalol will definitely step his game up and the 2 of them as a tandem would gurantee a playoff berth.
BANK!
April 7th, 2009 at 11:43 am
“BB should sign Emery (proven playoff performer) he’s been blackballed (no pun intended) and will probably sign for cheap. With him in the lineup, Toskalol will definitely step his game up and the 2 of them as a tandem would gurantee a playoff berth.
BANK!”
Emery is a BUM! Last player you want around your young and impressionable rookies. Look at what he did to Ottawa. He was the one that started their free fall. Do you people actually hate the Leafs coming up with such horrible ideas? Only Hab and Senator fans would wish that on our team!
April 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
@BlueBomber
Are you out of your mind? Emery is poison.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
lol its prolly Emery himself looking for a job on the net
April 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
If it is, he should change his alias to ‘Egomaniacal Neurotic”. It’s suits him well.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
@Jordan
Its not at all about Blakes contract. I don’t have any issues with that part (this season) except for the duration.
Now, the reason I think Burke might be willing to persue the buy-out option is based solely on the drive to become a better Team, team. I just don’t believe that Blake has enough character to survive in the direction the team is going. With that said, Blake (and to a lesser extent, Pony) are the teams only real snipers. And teams do need a shoot-first attitude kind of player to be successful.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I love the fact that BB builds his teams from the net out. Thats the way it needs to be done. Especially with a young team that is bound to make mistakes, a goalie that can make the clutch saves and give momentum back to his team is huge! The buds have always had this with potvin, belfour, young cujo, but ever since JFJ gambled and signed Raycroft, we’ve been lacking it.
Toskala had a shitty year, when you watch the interviews with him he always seemed not to care about the team. I’m not doubting that he’s injured, but I think they took him out from the pipes before they had to because he had a great strecth and maybe when he’s healthy his stock will go up and BB can get a good return for him. If they left him in and his hot streak ended, even when healthy, his stock would be low.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Who would you rather buy out, Toskala or Blake? I for one, won’t be surprised if the Leafs have two new goalies next year.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
@B Gordon
Buyout? Why on earth would BB go that route. Toskala has one bad year and the team should take a cap hit to remove him from the equation, how about trying to get the guy into the form he was in last season and try to trade him to a team like Phoenix that needs a goalie. I know the goaltender situation is less than ideal, but I don’t see the buyout as the solution, I think the option would only hinder this team for the next couple seasons.
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Also a buyout of Blake should not be considered yet. There’s too much term remaining on his contract. His buyout would leave the Leafs with a cap hit for 6 more seasons. That’s not good business. He had a good year this year let’s hope he has another good season next year and the one after that and try to trade him at the trade deadline in 2011. That’s my solution.
April 7th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Agreed, Toskala should not be bought out. Give him one more season to redeem himself, and its a contract year aswell – so look for him to overachieve.
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And the buyout of Blake at this point is too much to handle, it is better to bear the brunt of it, now that the worst is over, and see where he is next off-season. How many more years is Blake due? Three after this?
April 9th, 2009 at 6:21 am
I have always criticized the Leafs defence and forwards for leaving the goaltender out to dry..I am starting to slow down on that stance..Toskala has provided some relief after Raycroft but his play has suffered this year…I think Burke needs to find somebody up to the task to challenge Toskala next year…Justin Pogge so far has shown no promise we all felt he would bring..Sorry Justin…Just is not happening!…Gerber is a stop gap pickup this year just to stop the bleeding..Cujo is obviously not the guy we can go to either..It is up to Burke to bring whoever he needs to challenge Toskala and split the games next year..This goals against black cloud over our heads has to stop..I know Wilson is letting the boys go loose offensively to see which rookie has the most potential next year but the goaltending has to improve..Toskala will be back..but the rest will not be..Pogge as far as I am concerned is not ready for the NHL..I have been quite patient with him but I do not see him making training camp next year..We need somebody to challenge Toskala and get his attention next year..Let Burke do his job and find us another Eddie Belfour..Wait!..What is Eddie up to next year?..lol…Has anyone seen his stats plying in Europe from last year?..lol…I am joking!…kinda…:)
April 10th, 2009 at 1:02 am
@Roacho
I agree, a well playing Tosk would bring back some value to the club at the deadline. Having said that though, here is my reasoning to suggest a buyout: BB’s stated goal is to win a cup and he believes a team is built from the net out (quite correctly, this was Frank Selke’s philosophy as well, and he did pretty good with it). It should be pretty obvious by now that Tosk will never win a cup.
I believe Burke could attempt to get two goalies (Anderson, Harding, Gustavsson or someone by trade, are possibilities). I don’t believe he’ll want to re-sign Tosk next year (and he has limited trade potential at the moment), so your stuck with a guy that you hope will have some value at the deadline. Why waste roster space on a guy you don’t believe in, when you can use it to find a guy you can believe in?
The cost of a buyout isn’t too steep in Toskala’s case, the 2.7m that you save this year goes towards your new goalie, you bite 1.3m next year in cap space to do it. It’s not the cleanest solution but if you want to turn it around quick, BB has been known to make bold moves and better goaltending is the best way to turn this ship around.
I’m not saying it’s gonna happen but I think its a reasonable possibility. Tosk stays if he can’t get two goalies, but why wait to build your goaltending future?
As for Blake, I wouldn’t buy out anyone who isn’t in the last year of a contract unless the guy is poison (Avery, Tucker for example). I merely mentioned him to put Toskala’s contract in perspective.