Vesa Toskala will rebound after his abysmal display of goaltending last season.
The Finnish goaltender was among fan favorites in Toronto during his first season with the Leafs. His flashy, acrobatic style of goaltending proved to be succesful, as he was arguably the Leafs’ most valuable player in the 2007-08 campaign — even ahead of Mats Sundin. Leafs fans were singing his praises, and hopes to attain the Stanley Cup Playoffs suddenly lifted. But when a goaltender, particularly one who relies on his acrobatics, succumbs to nagging groin and hip injuries, well, you get the product Leafs fans had to endure last season. So Toskala was shut down, and was forced to get surgery while Martin Gerber finished off the season — and surprisingly well, too.
So it begs the question: Will Toskala be back to form next season, or will he continue to struggle with injuries, thus rendering him virtually useless considering his style.
Well, opinions vary, and many Leafs fans seem to have forgotten just how good he was during his first season. Personally, I’m willing to bet Toskala will perform brilliantly next season, and will earn the tag of the comeback kid.
In fact, if you ask me, I think the Leafs could have very well been in the playoffs last season if it were not for Toskala’s struggles. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, however, as the team has now acquired another highly touted prospect in Nazim Kadri.
But let’s take into consideration Burke’s latest additions to the Leafs’ defense core. With Mike Komisarek and Garnet Exelby added to the mix, Toskala will have the best defensive coverage he’s ever been graced with in Toronto. The Leafs’ defense will no longer be soft and unmenacing in front of the net. Not anymore, baby. Not with Exelby, Komisarek and Schenn guarding the Leafs’ end of the ice. As soon as the opposition crosses the blueline, it’s going to be no holds barred, and for the first time in a long time, the Leafs will be injecting a fresh dosage of fear into their opposition. This means more hits, blocked shots and scrums infront of the net. If Toskala can find the game that made him an effective goaltender two season ago, Toronto will be capable of silencing many of its critics.
It’s also worth noting that, if Burke does manage to acquire Unrestricted Free Agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson (who is starting to piss me off more than Sundin with his non-decision making), the Leafs won’t be forced to play Toskala the majority of the season due to not having a capable back-up goaltender. If Gustavsson proves to be valuable commodity to the team, then Toskala’s workload could be more suitable to his limits, and he wouldn’t be forced to play with a wonky groin.
Toskala is also a pending UFA next summer, so you can bet he’ll playing with a little more intensity to secure a role as a number one netminder in the NHL.
Thankfully, Toskala will get all the rest he requires this summer after being shut down during the season. This will give him a chance to fully recover from his nagging groin and hip injuries and, hopefully, make a comeback as the Leafs’ MVP. It’s no secret, however, that groin injuries can often affect a player’s career long-term, so it’s currently uncertain where Toskala’s career will go from here.
If Toskala can find his game again, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he propels the Leafs into the playoffs. They’d squeak in with the current team intact, of course, but it would still serve as quality experience for a rebuilding club such as the Maple Leafs.
Prediction: Toskala has his best season with the Leafs and will be considered team MVP.
Here’s a tribute video to remind you of his skill:
You stay classy, MLHS.
ronguillet@mapleleafshotstove.com
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July 6th, 2009 at 8:03 am
If Toskala rebounds and has a great year, why would we then act to rid ourselves of a number one goalie? And then go to sign one in offseason. It makes no sense. He is I think 31. So still has a lot of hockey left. At least 5-6 solid years. I think we will be a competing team by then.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Just a comment on this site. You guys write really interesting articles and I am very impressed with how you manage this site and the pace with which you put up new topics. Very smart group of guys you are! Keep up the good work and keep up the challenging topics.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Hopefully we enter the year with a healthy Toskala and Gustavsson. Depending how each one plays and injuries you might see a split of 52-30 in Toskala’s favor. If Toskala plays well and the Leafs are out of the playoffs at the deadline, and they get a great offer for him then he might be traded. I don’t expect Gustavsson to have a great year- it takes time to adjust to the smaller rinks. All the shots are closer, faster, and harder. If he could maintain a .900+ save percentage in his first year he will be doing good IMO.
Toskala needs to get his save percentage up above .910 at least.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:17 am
There have been alot of articles on who holds the key to the upcoming season. Toskala, Tlusty, etc. Here is a major factor to the upcoming season in my estimation:
The Kaberle Trade. To me this factor could be huge. For example if a prime goal scorer is added then that could profoundly effect the outcome of at least a dozen games resulting in more points in the standings. If Burke gets his best value back in the form of draft picks then our forwards are left a little short and particularly our PP may not be as strong. If the return is not immediate it may not be a bad thing, because drafting high would be a good thing IMO.
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Just curious how everyone else feels on this subject. Would you rather Burke deal Kaberle for an impact forward now (ie Kessel, Horton, Zajack), or would you rather he go for a prospect or picks (B Schenn, Z Kassian, draft picks)?
How important is it to everyone to possibly see if we can get into position for Taylor Hall? It certainly isn’t out of the question yet. Alot of teams have gotten better (NYI, Atl, TB, LA). I definitely think Atl, TB, and LA jumps us in the standings. We have added, but we also have seen some good players go in Moore, Antropov and Kubina. Our goaltending is far from settled. Might this team have a propensity for taking penalties??- Probably not, since Wilson is the best coach in the league for getting his players to play with strict discipline.
Any Thoughts??
July 6th, 2009 at 9:34 am
My thought is he should take the” best deal possible”. If it comes down to picks/prospects or young talent now, I think he will go with the talent now. I think Burke wants to win sooner then later, but wont give up the farm in the process. I think he already has targeted the #1 center he wants, and is trying to build towards landing them in either a trade, or whatever. If he goes to the prospect/picks, Im sure he will push for B.Schenn….but we all know that could be a pipe dream. Im hoping for Thornton or Staal, both just as equally pipe dreams as well though.
At the very least I will trade for them in NHL09 though lol and see how it works
July 6th, 2009 at 9:46 am
If you think Burke wants to win sooner then later why would he go after braden schenn?
July 6th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Kadri will have a better career than b.schenn, you will all see very soon schenn will be a bust.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I was never a big fan of Toskala’s technique. I’m still unsure about the butterfly as a whole, and Toskala covers the lowside to the extreme. Sure the injuries didn’t help, but I think a lot of shooters had Toskala’s number last year with the rapidity his knees hit the ice, not to mention his tendency to over commit on angles. Don’t get me wrong I think he will put up better numbers next year, but I still think he will be hovering around .900… just.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I think Kadri’s success will be measured mostly in points and accolades where-as Schenns will be more in intangibles. He’ll also put up good points but i think ultimately less than Kadri.
I’m not too interested in whether Toskala does good or not. The playoffs would be fun to be a part of again but we certainly aren’t dont with the rebuild so another blue chip prospect as well as some crafty late round drafting is required.
This year im looking forward to Kulemin, Tlusty and Bozak. I dont want to predict break out numbers but I’m interested to see who they progress. I’ll be pretty pissed if Tlusty doesnt get good minutes though and a bit of freedom to be creative…albeit under the contraints of defensive responsibility.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I can’t wait to see bozak hit the ice this year is he a center or wing?
July 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Center kiko I expect to see Tybo to make a big impact this year in blue and white! Mabye something like his 128 points in 59 games with the Victoria Grizzlies in 2006!
July 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Well Bozak should get a chance, but remember hes still pretty small. Last I seen he was like 165, thats a little small for top line mins right now
July 6th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Bozak was 6′ 1″ 180 at the end of last season
July 6th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Might be wrong, just looked it up and says hes 180 now. Oops
July 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Soon to make its debut in montreal ‘THE SMURF LINE’-the most over paid,under sized line in NHL history. $18mil yearly in salary curtesy of Comez,Cammalleri and Gionta….LOL what a joke and Gainy still as a job ..unreal…
July 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Losing kubina will hurt the leafs this year, sure there D is nasty now but kaberle & White are the only D`s we have that can put the puck in the net or set up plays.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Best part of the video is at 1:41 after the Leafs win the game in the shootout. One of the Leaf players at the far end of the bench is swinging his legs over to leave the bench and is shoved by his teammate. He does the best face plant on the ice. classic!!
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I think Toskala is going to have a very good year. Will be nice to see what he can do with a better view of the puck and more room in the crease.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Toskala is at best a back-up, stop dreaming and face reality…..
July 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
doug gilmour was 5″10 and 160 pounds. he got alot of top line minutes. i would say he was undersized. may be the best leaf ever. i think what brought killer through was the size of his heart! just like wendel clark!
July 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Speaking of undersized…. Wellwood filed for arbitration. Considering how he played this season, if I were him I would take anything to be in the NHL. All season he was displaying up and down play that would totally disappear for long stretches and was benched even at times.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
It would be sweet if we signed kovelev to a 1 year deal and stuck it in the hearts of montreal fans
July 6th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Funny but pointless. Hes too old to help us and would just stall someones development….damn that WOULD be funny though
July 6th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
@josh I wouldn’t have Kovelev on my team if he played for free…he’s a lazy cry baby bum and the biggest loser in NHL history i can’t believe a Leaf fan would say that or maybe your not a Leaf fan sorry …..’The Joke Of The Day’ I thought I have seen everything on this site but that as to be the worst one yet………
July 6th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Leafs inked kadri for 3 years today
July 6th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Eat shit buddy my left nut knows more about hockey then you
July 6th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
@odd man rush
You sound like the grinch of hockey lol. Im pretty sure he didnt mean to actually GO and sign him, just would be funny to piss them off more
July 6th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Nice
Decent interview from Burke too. Leaves it open that Kadri can make the roster if he proves himself, and that he mainly needs to get bigger.
http://mapleleafs.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=802&id=44692
Funny they mention that Kadri is gritty like Burke is, and Burke says “Ya he’s a mean little bastard, I don’t mind that” haha
July 6th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
The Leafs will have to pray that Toskala saves them this year because our former savior Raycroft signed with Vancouver haha
July 6th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Perhaps a Van Tor trade?
July 6th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
OMG Leafs just signed Beauchemin as well… trade imminent no doubt about it now. Our Defence has to be the best in the league now. He has a wicked shot from the point.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/07/06/leafs_beauchemin/
beauchemin
July 6th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
NICE! I am very happy about the Beauchemin signing, our Defense will look a lot different and a lot better in my opinion.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Yeah no doubt, a much different defence in Toronto next year, serious upgrade in toughness. Curious to see where Burke is going to fit them all. The guys from last year have to be feeling some nerves about their future with the team.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
GREAT job Burkie! That’s a steal at 3.3 per year.
Now how about we shift our focus up front
July 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Kovalev signed with Sens
July 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Wow…I dont think Toskala has much to worry about this year. Not too many guys will be hanging around his crease!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Beauchemin is a great pickup. Always liked the way he played.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
OH YEAH!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Vancouver signs a backup the same hour the Leafs sign a defenseman. I really hope Monster signs here, but something tells me Monster made up his mind and now Burke moved to plan B, which involves Kaberle and Schneider.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
That tells me White or Stralman AND Kaberle are on their way out. Tend to think its White.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Dont get Schneider!!!! Goalies are a dime a dozen! Get Gerber and leverage Kaberle into more offence!!!!!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Goalies are a dime a dozen. Good ones are not. Franchise ones certainly are not.
Look at Brodeur. That should be the aim here. Pick up a guy with a good 10 years of playing and keep him until he retires. Schenider is the top goalie prospect and is young. If he turns into what he has done in the AHL, he will be worth every cent we paid for him.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
If as you say, Beauchemin signed – great! Kaberle is definitely toast now – hopefully dealt for a top notch prospect (forward) and some level of draft pick (2nd?).
Like B Leaf says which way do you – top forward or pick and prospects? I believe the latter route would be best!
July 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
@ leafs4life
I agree on the Toskala front. iF that were me I would’ve shut myself down especially after the coach calling out my determination and training.
I like the optimism for the goalie front, but it could be a little much. I too can see Toskala being traded at the end of January, instead of the trade deadline. Could history repeat itself?? a Sabre led the league again in PP goals. The problem is a comparable trade would be Vanek, Tellqvist, 1st rounder for Toskala and a 3rd.
With Miller there already I dont see that happening. Although the Sabres made that trade in 92 while having Hasek in net already.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Well, the Buds have 47 defencemen signed and a glut of forwards in the mix. I’m going to enjoy the next month of movement. Go Brian and Dave!