"When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire".
~ Stars, Your Ex-Lover is Dead
Rumour has it Vesa Toskala may have re-injured himself last night. He came in to relieve Raycroft. Why they risked Toskala is beyond me. I would have let Andrew Raycroft finish what he started.
If Tosky can't dress, and Raycroft can't stop a puck, it might be time for Justin Pogge's debut. Here's a little Pogge primer.
January 6, 2006 - "I have seen the future of Toronto Maple Leafs hockey, and his name is Justin Pogge. Pogge posted a .952 save percentage for the tournament, his 1.00 goals-against average ties him for best in tournament history and Canada's six goals against set a record. He recorded three shutouts and went 150 minutes and 50 seconds without giving up a goal to close out last night's game."
It was that tournament that introduced the country to Jusin Pogge. He was outstanding and a Maple Leafs prospect. Those two statements rarely collide.
October 21, 2006 - "For the third time in four nights, I was in the building to watch a professional Toronto sports franchise lose. It was my first Marlies game and a great deal of fun. The kids were probably more entertained by the dog mascot than the hockey, but they had a blast and I got to watch #1 Justin Pogge."
This was the first time I watched Pogge play in person. He didn't win, but he was sharp.
September 19, 2007 - "It was Justin Pogge's first NHL game, and I really wanted him to play well. I so badly want this prospect to pan out and develop into a great goalie I actually got butterflies every time he handled an Oiler shot. I just didn't want him to look out of place."
That was Pogge's only game in a Leafs uniform to date. Rumour has it they're thinking of calling him up for tomorrow night's game in San Jose. My spidey senses tell me that's a horrible idea.
Justin Pogge will not save this season. He will not guide his team into a playoff spot. He's not ready for the NHL and would benefit most by finishing this season in the AHL. Why rush this kind of prospect unnecessarily? Why not let Scott Clemmensen and Raycroft handle the load until Toskala is ready, it's just not worth the risk.
Bringing up Pogge is such a bad idea I fully expect to read the MLSE press release announcing just that any moment now. Let me check my RSS feed now...
