Justin Pogge is the goaltender of the future. In Anaheim.
Actually, the Ducks have got Jonas Hiller. So I've no idea what the hell they're going to do with Pogge.
That's the point: Toronto Maple Leafs fans no longer have to worry about when Pogge is going to "get it." When Pogge is going to arrive. He's Anaheim's problem, now.
There's no point in taking petty parting shots (my favourite!) at Pogge as he leaves; he's no Andrew Raycroft. He's simply a young goalie who couldn't get it done in this town. One thing's for certain: Toronto's a tough city in which to man the crease. We want results. And we want them fast. We aren't reasonable, and it's the last thing we Leafs fans claim to be.
At the end of the day, Pogge's played in three professional hockey leagues: the WHL, AHL, and NHL. While his NHL sample size is small, he's managed to crack the holy .900 save percentage threshold only in junior hockey, and that isn't good enough. I can't recall another young goaltender so big - six-foot-three, over 200 pounds - who couldn't cover more of the net.
And no, time with new Leafs goalie coach Francois Allaire wasn't an option. Allaire's already got his hands full with Vesa Toskala's five-hole, and Jonas Gustavsson's transition to the North American game. (Monster = playoffs!1)
Good luck, and Godspeed, Pogge. May your posts be kind.
