Toskala Deserves Benefit of the Doubt… For Now
As I was carefully selecting the sharpest and jaggiest stones for the public sacrifice of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Vesa Toskala, I thought of something.
Pre-season.
Yup, that’s right. It was just pre-season. The reaction the 32-year-old has garnered throughout Leaf Nation might suggest otherwise, but yes, these games were basically meaningless—except for a select few.
So drop your barbaric weapons, take a Valium and give the once-praised Toskala the benefit of the doubt—for now. I’m aware that Jonas Gustavsson—who is clearly the reincarnation of Jesus Christ— and Joey Macdonald have both proven to be more reliable in their respective stints, but this job has been Toskala’s to lose since training camp debuted. And head coach Ron Wilson wasn’t about to hand the starting job to one of the two unproven goaltenders over a few pre-season games.
Let’s take a few things into consideration here—and this is NOT to defend Toskala’s horrid display of goaltending last night. For one, he is coming off two major surgeries to the hip and groin area. He played all of last season wounded, and hasn’t played to his abilities in an extended period of time. And with the acquistion of new goalie coach Francois Allaire this off-season, Toskala is now learning a new system to which he is not—obviously—accustomed to yet.
So give the guy a break.
I’m not saying to generate a bunch of excuses for the Finnish netminder, but atleast give him the benefit of the doubt. Despite his woeful save percentage, Leafs fans should hold judgment on whether or not he’s capable of maintaining his role as the starting goaltender until he atleast plays ONE regular season game.
While many have been venting their frustrations with Toskala on internet forums, no one is as furious as the man himself. When Wilson pulled him off the ice in the dying minutes to deploy an extra attacker, Toskala banged the boards with his goalie stick in anger, showing signs of emotion Leafs fans have rarely seen from the soft-spoken and mellow goaltender. After the game, Toskala had few things to say about his performance, but he did say that “when the season opens on Thursday, things are going to very different.”
Should he falter against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, then it is likely Gustavsson will get the nod against the Washington Capitals on the first night of Hockey Night in Canada.
For now, I’ll be wearing my Toskala jersey with pride and will support him heading into Thursday night’s tilt. If he fails, then I’ve already arranged a pack of lions to maul him in the Air Canada Centre after the game, Roman-style.
You stay classy, MLHS.
ronguillet@mapleleafshotstove.com
September 28th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
In regards to Joey MacDonald he is on a two way contract….correct?? if so, then he does not have to clear waivers when sent down to the Marlies as some have stated.
Please correct me if I am wrong
Thanks,
September 28th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I don’t think the team has any kind of confidence playing in front of him and it shows. I thought this year the team would go out on a limb and try some of the new kids for a change. I quess I was wrong again.
September 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Yeah, I guess so – another squandered year, another abject failure… Before the season has actually started.
.
Lol – Leafs fans can indeed be a jaded, dejected bunch!
September 28th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
The sad thing is, I realized a couple of years ago that I’m not a hockey fan, just a Leafs fan
lol
September 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Lol! That’s a good one… Indeed sometimes feels true.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
@ IBleaf: i’m not saying he’ll bounce back. i’m just saying that I THINK (ie, it’s my opinion) that he’ll respond well to the criticism and the pressure of having someone there who’s ready to take over his job if he falters. we just need to forget the pre-season, forget last season (since he was injured), and give him another chance to prove himself. he’s still a good goalie, he just needs to find his game again.
.
also, i’d be very hesitant giving gustavsson the #1 job right away, simply because a) the SEL and NHL are 2 completely different leagues, and he’ll need some time to adjust, and b) the SEL season is a heck of a lot shorter, and he may not be able to take the workload at this point in time.
.
back to toskala, though, i think part of the reason he’s struggled is that they’re trying to make him play more of a butterfly style. in SJ and in his first year in toronto, he relied more on his athleticism to make saves. take a look at some old youtube videos of him, and you’ll see how different he looked back then. hopefully allaire will help him out.
.
@ Tomps: a 2-way contract is just for money purposes. if the player plays in the NHL, he gets his NHL salary. if he plays in the AHL, he gets an AHL salary. the waiver rules only apply based on the player’s age when he signed his first NHL contract, and how many games he’s played. macdonald isn’t waiver-exempt.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Just a sidenote for everyone if you didn’t know, the Leafs were first in scoring for the preseason with 31 goals. Considering the team was mostly composed of the rookies, seems like the Leafs are not in such bad shape in for the scoring department.
.
6 scored by Stalberg
3 scored by Kadri
1 scored by Bozak, Hanson, Tlusty (if you still consider him to be a rookie), Gunnarson each
.
That’s a total of 10 goals, which is roughly 33% of the goals scored.
.
Will scoring be a problem for the Leafs?…I think not!
September 28th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I hope Toskala has a good season, i’ve always been a fan of him. He can be a number 1 NHL keeper, remember that back in San Jose he was put on a similar level as Nabokov was as a goalie.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
TRADE….
CAL: 3RD Pick
CLB: Stralman
Looks like Burke knew what he was doing after-all…..
September 28th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
@whitey7
No worries about offense. I hope they improve the GAA, and PK big time.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Problem is JMAC in CLB he’ll have a chance to succeed
September 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
@luke- its 3 bad games in a row….clearly you havent been watching the pre-season. And Im not sure about everyone else but im not saying hes not battling for #1 im just saying start gustuvson 1st game since hes out played Toskala.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
By starting Gustovson in the first game you are making a statement that Vesa has been demoted to the backup role. I would think that Vesa has to loose that role in the regular season not the preseason. You are also not going to hand the starting role to Gustovson based on three periods of play even thuogh they were a great three periods.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
@broken silence- Sorry about that i guess i misunderstood what you said….I guess Im just sick of people(not you) saying that gustuvson is jesus christ and all that crap……The fact is he looked amazing way more poised and confident. And Im sure youd agree with that.
As for the number 1 spot, Im not saying give it to him but I thought the new Toronto modo was whoever’s playing their best gets the start. So therefore, Gustuvson and mcdonald both outplayed Toskala and should start over him(IMO).
And about Toskala getting trained by Allaire, I know allaire is one of the best goal tending coaches in the world(so ive heard) but it seems like a bad idea to change a 31yr or however old toskala is and completly change his style right before a season.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
@scooter: well then start mcdonald, he had pretty good numbers with the Islanders last year andoutplayed Toskala in pre-season.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
As I see the tealeaves–BB/Ron already know they have a potentially huge problem with Tosk, but they don’t yet know if Gus can ‘do it’—They also likely know that JMac can do the back up job.
They also know that they have to ‘find out’ very soon-maybe by mid-October- because most pundits are picking the leafs to miss the playoffs again and BB in partic must be paranoid about April
So, what to do?
I think the odds are that they send Gus down by Wed so he starts every game with the Marlies next 2-3 weeks max–and they play Tosk most games next 2-3 weeks max also (ie both Gus and Tosk play )–If after 2-3 weeks, it looks like Gus can ‘do it’ and Tosk likely not, they then send Tosk down and give his job to Gus at nhl level.
high risk city either way but we gotta bite the bullet soon, one way or the other
If a team claims Tosk, so be it.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
[...] Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Toskala deserves benefit of the doubt. He is on the hot seat with Leafs nation. [...]
September 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
screw it. i want the real jesus in net. hell, he can even wear number 99 if he likes. i doubt he’d even need pads. his whole ‘walking on water’ trick won’t seem so miraculous in the NHL though as everyone does it……so i’d expect him to stop pucks. or he gets benched. he’d be a good locker room guy i am sure.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
@IBLeaf:
It’s a joke. I’m not saying he’s actually JC or plays godly enough to warrant that..
Sheesh.
(Actually, I’m not… go Gustavsson!!)
September 28th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I thought the whole point of the pre season was for the players to show what they had. So, no matter how good Gus played it looks like the decsion was already made to go with Toskala no matter who played better.
I coud understand it if we were still in a rebuild mode but BB seems to be going for it. It would be too bad if we lose a few games because of Toskala letting in some of his famous soft goals. Every game should count starting now.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
@Ron- My comments werent all about your article Ron….alot of them were about the ppl commenting on it agreeing that were calling Gustuvson God.
The truth is nobody knows anything about him other then:
1)alot of teams were interested in him
2)His nic name is “The Monster”
3)His GF is a smoking hot blonde swede with glasses
If thats not enough to warrant calling him god I dont know what is……..I just dont think Toskala deserves the opening day start based on his pitiful preseason, but if he does I fully back him and hope that he plays like he did at the start of last year.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
I’m not sure BB minds losing a player he puts on waivers to possibly send down like he did with Brzgalov and Pheonix picked him on waivers for nothing. BB said in an interview that in the salary cap era you can trade a player and get one back or a draft pick or another important asset, cap space releaf or in other words cash is an asset to spend elsewhere so if a trade can’t be worked out with a player he won’t mind losing their salary only.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
@ Bring the Cup Home,
Now that 99 is actually available… I say Gretz is still good for 40 pts (and will be for the next decade) which is better than (but hopefully not) whoever our 3rd line centre’s gonna be this year. Sign him like we shoulda twenty years ago! Long Live Wayne!
September 28th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
great article! too bad it’s horseshit. toskala’ goaltending deserves to be questioned after the absolute crap goals he’s let in lately. preseason or not, it DOES mean something. if it didn’t, stalberg would be starting the season with the marlies. however, HE played himself onto the starting roster. the same should be applied to toskla. there wasn’t one game this preseason where you could say to yourself, ‘yep! he’s awesome!’.
there is NO lead safe with toskala.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
@Billy D- Well said only i bet Gretz with the new no obstruction rules could still pot 100 pts in a season. Why is there any rumours that gretz is thinkin about coming to TO?lol if not lets start some
September 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I heard on 640 that Gretz is thinking of coming to Toronto.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Goaltending, I don’t think can be looked at in isolation. It is also the product the team playing in front of the goaltender. GAA is a good indicator but does not tell the whole story. I highly doubt that Brodeur has had to consistently face the same type of high quality shots as Toskala over the last couple of years. if you have to face 8-10 shots from the slot each night your GAA will suffer no matter who you are.
The defence (including the forwards) this year are going to have to improve in clearing rebounds, moving bodies, and forcing shots from the perimeter. This will improve our goaltending just as much as Toskala getting his MOJO back
September 28th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
@jmaker,
lol. Eklund says it’s verifiable truth – E4. “Gretz did express some interest in coming to TO.” But he still insists on McSorley riding shotgun. lol
September 28th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Altough I can’t wait for the days of the Monster, just a little food for thought…
Toskala’s first year with the Leafs, when he was actually pretty good, he stunk in the pre-season, which was why the Razor started out as our #1 that year.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Some interesting comments from Wilson were just published in the Star. He says if the vets do not perform up to expectations in THE FIRST TWO WEEKS, he will not hesitate to make changes and call up the kids. So there you have it folks. No fooling around to start the season. No extended grace period for the vets on this team.
If you ask me that makes the first couple of weeks very interesting. Last year the Leafs came out of the gate very strong but had trouble finishing, and Toskala was letting in a bad goal or two every game. Call me crazy but I thought the Leafs played in the top five of the league last year in the first 15 games. They were grossly out shooting and out chancing teams during that spell. If Toskala starts like that again Gustavsson will get his chance.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
@LEAFSFAN73
Starting Andrew Waysoft that year was the worst decision Paul Maurice ever made behind our bench. Absolutely mind boggling.
But you are right Toskala had some fine moments that year. Let’s hope he gets back to that and soon.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Toskala hasn’t played a game in 7 months (that’s 200+ days) and in his 3rd appearence, not even game because he hasn’t played every game, you can’t judge him. He for sure sucked balls, but I doubt he plays that bad again
September 28th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
toronto star also saying that in its view it is likely that Bozak has jumped over Kulemin who will likely be sent dn (along with tlusty prob)–ie both Stalman and Bozak start with leafs oct 1
http://www.thestar.com
click on sports at top then read burke article
September 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
GAA is a team stat for sure… but save% is what it is.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
braydon schenn sent back to junior by LA
now why would the Star say tonight that it was ‘quite likely’ that Bozak will make the leafs (kulemin dn) when Ron said last night that Stalberg was likely the ‘only one’ ?
September 28th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Now that LA has sent Schenn dn, their Roster is still only at 20 and they have loads of cap space
Wonder if they have been talking to BB?
September 28th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
@2minutes- I hear ya that he hasnt played in the amount of time you just said. But why do you say you dont think hell play that bad again. Why does it only take 3 games to get back to where he was. It could take afew months, are the leafs willing to wait around for him to get his game back?
September 28th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
That was @ Jordan not 2 minute!!!!!!!!!!
September 28th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
A few guys have mentionned it but it hasn’t garnered much discussion…what about claiming Schremp ? He’s a Yank (so obviously he’s destined to play for the Buds), has a pretty good skill set , has something to prove and he was once a high pick of Lowe’s (which Burke could gloat over if Schremp ever lights it up). Any thoughts fellas ?
September 28th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
raycroft beats out cory schneider in vanc for backup role–hmmm
September 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
@ionsys
Maybe a change of heart, or Burke wants Bozak??
September 28th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
@jmaker
save% is much more an individual stat than GAA for sure, but save% it is also a product of the number of quality of shots a goalie faces from night to night. If loungo was playing for the leafs last year I don’t think his save% would be as great as what it was in Vancouver.
If the the team in front of the goaltender is defensively responsible, then the goaltender does not have to stand on his head and steal games. We are expecting Toskala to steal games which he should do on occasion but not every game. Look at Detroit and Osgood last year, Detroit made it to the finals with goaltending not much better than the leafs.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:20 am
[...] Toskala Deserves Benefit of the Doubt… For Now : Maple Leafs Hot Stove [...]
September 29th, 2009 at 7:45 am
@ibleaf
Your right, a lot of fans will be off the bang wagon with him but after a few weeks he should be getting in the grove again
September 29th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@Jordan- I hear ya there. I am not a Toskala hater, its more so that I am just so excited to see Gusuvson in the net!!! However, If Toskala can turn his game around that is definatly a better situation for Toronto, you dont wanna just give a rookie the #1 but out play Toskala when there both in top form. Also, it increases both there market values if there both playing good.
It would also be nice if guys like Stempy,Finger,White,poni,stajan etc could have break out seasons to increase there market value as well.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
According to HockeyCentral
The following Leafs will be healthy scratches on thursday…
Kulemin
Tlusty
Bozak
AND….
MacDonald has been placed on waivers to play for the Marlies meaning The Monster is in for Thursday!
November 30th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Your article is write very well, I like it very much ~
nike sb dunks
ghd Hair Straightener
adidas shoes
adidas shoes sale
ghd Hair Straighteners
ghd straighteners
GHD
hair straighteners
bose in ear headphones
bose on ear headphones
bose in ear
bose on ear
bose headphones for sale
buy bose headphones
nike dunks
I wish you have a wonderful day!Thank you.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
measurements frequency…
assessment vapor extreme weathering concerns dimming…