CuJo Should See More Action

Posted 4:53 PM ET | Comments 4

Curtis Joseph gets the nod against the Ottawa Senators tonight. And his two wins have got me confident!

Let's lay it on the table right away, the Leafs owe Martin Gerber nothing, and judging from his play this season (and the fact that he was acquired through re-entry waivers), he has done nothing to earn the role as a starting goaltender. Under the circumstances, Gerber should be content with playing half of the remaining games.

While many have pointed out the Gerber would perform well in Toronto due to having no pressure, the Leafs shouldn't feel any need to appoint him as Toskala's replacement. Instead, it would be more logical for the Leafs, considering their current position in the standings, to split the rest of the games with Joseph and Gerber 50/50. After all, Gerber definitely won't be a Leaf next season, so the only thing he's playing for is himself. The Leafs, who sit 11 points from 8th place, will not make the playoffs. Period. Their season is officially over, so what's the harm in playing Joseph in more games? The Leafs have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Gerber may have the edge over Joseph in terms of value to the team (well, depending which way you look at it), but as I said, the Leafs have nothing to play for... except a top 5 pick. While it is still crucial for the Leafs to play their best goaltender, in respect to the team (telling them "Hey team! We're tanking because you're all incompetent! And Joseph, you can't stop a beach ball, so get out there and start playing," might not sit well with the team, or Free Agents who may be interested in coming here this summer), the Leafs have to start playing Joseph more compared to when he was backing-up Vesa Toskala.

The Leafs currently sit five points from a top 5 pick, and if they lose against the Senators tonight you can make that three points.

The Leafs can try winning the rest of their games, but I think I speak for the majority of Leafs/Tank Nation when I say, we're NOT behind you every step of the way!

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Filed Under: Joseph Leafs hockey

A-Mar

March 9, 2009 5:31 PM ET | Delete
Before the Gerber claim, I was a supporter of giving Pogge the reigns for the rest of the year... best case scenario was that he proved himself a part of the future... worst case was a lottery pick.

Takhar7

March 9, 2009 5:56 PM ET | Delete

Ron Guillet

March 9, 2009 5:58 PM ET | Delete
PLaying Pogge would be a mistake IMO..Considering the Marlies are in a battle to keep their playoff spot (only 3 points separate them and 9th place), Pogge is better off staying with the Marlies for experience. He’s now performing under pressure, and if they do make the playoffs, it’ll be HIS team, not Clemmenson’s…like last year.When Gerber and Joseph are no longer with the Leafs next season, Pogge can move up as Toskala’s back-up, with some AHL playoff experience under his belt now.

Takhar7

March 10, 2009 5:09 PM ET | Delete
Ron you speak a lot of sense - that time, when Joseph and Gerber are out of the way, is next season. Thus, Pogge will get elevated to back up and see plenty more playing time then. The litmus test for his NHL readiness can happen next year, which isn't all that far away from this year. That's why I don't really understand why so many people are pissed off about not throwing Pogge into the deep end right away, right now.

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