Just thought I'd mention an article I found on ESPN about Matt Duchene. It talks about why he sticks out (or doesn't, for that matter).
So for all the folks who are starting to see that the Leafs really might have to settle for the third pick in the draft, it's not all doom and gloom. I would be extremely happy if the Leafs could get Duchene. I'm sure he's a guy that Burke would like too.
He isn't a player who would have an impact immediately, but he's the kind that could blossom into that go-to guy down the road (think: Jeff Carter, Mike Richards).
Of course, once you're in that bottom five, you're part of the lottery system in which all five have a chance at the first overall pick. We just need to stay in that pack and we're gold. Anything can happen!
POGGE BACK IN NET
Reports today are saying that Justin Pogge will be back in net for the Leafs when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. This is another home game for Pogge, and he'll want to rebound from second straight loss to the Sabres, and third straight loss in total.
Pogge played well against the Sabres, except in the first part of the opening period. To be honest he just doesn't look ready for the NHL level, and he has a lot of holes in his game.
One notable problem is how early he goes down, which gives the shooter more time to aim upstairs. Hopefully with time he can play the style that he prefers, not necessarily what the NHL goalie coaches are telling him to do.
It's believed that the coaches are reluctant to start Joseph, so we may not see him play for a long time. The only reason Pogge isn't the backup is because Burke thinks he doesn't 'deserve' to be in the NHL, just yet. Probably good not to hand Pogge an NHL job until he can prove he is the real deal.
It's also widely believed that Burke will re-sign Pogge in the summer, when he becomes an RFA.
Tank for Duchene?
Pogge Auditioning Begins
SPORTSNET.ca is reporting today that the Leafs will start Pogge between the pipes when they face the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Ron Wilson says that Pogge will then be returned to the AHL, and didn't specify when he plans to use him next.
This essentially turns Joseph into a lame duck backup goalie. He now knows that he's only around to fill the roster position, and so that Wilson doesn't necessarily need to force Pogge into playing, were Toskala to get injured or lose his starter's role.
Once again, Pogge is getting his chance to shine in another Leafs road game. You can expect Wilson to keep Pogge well clear of the boo-birds in the ACC for most of the season. Whether it's the experienced CuJo or the youngster Pogge does not matter; Leafs fans will boo a bad goaltending performance. A wise decision indeed made by Mr. Wilson as he tries to build up the young netminders confidence.
Word is that Pogge will be part of a rotation that will send him back and forth between the Marlies and Leafs. I can hardly expect, were Pogge to keep winning games, that returning him to the Marlies would be in the goalie's long term interest.
And if Toskala gets moved at the trade deadline, such a 'rotation' might not be between the NHL and the AHL but between the big club's bench and crease.