The Incumbent And The Upstart

If it is Vesa Toskala’s endeavor to try to re-endear himself to Leaf Nation, perhaps he and his agent might want to re-think that collective strategy. He is no longer playing for praise and accolades, or to evade the wrath of the media, or even to move this Leaf team closer to respectability. By the time Big Blue is considered a legitimate contender, he will be tending goal in some other locality, with his time in Leaf land well behind him. What happens between now and then is on him, and him alone.

Vesa isn’t battling The Monster for a Leafs job; he has already lost that battle, without so much as a legitimate chance to fight back. What Toskala is now battling for is his own future as an NHL goalie, his professional reputation, and for a shot at a new deal elsewhere.

This is a contract year for the acrobatic little Finn, who has endured the jokes and the jeers of a fickle, fanatical hockey market that routinely turns heroes into has-beens with it’s widespread petulance, and legendary impatience. This is simply the time for Toskala to write his ticket going forward, and to set the asking price for his next employer.

Toskala’s compete level has been well documented. Historically, he’s a mild mannered, soft-spoken, yet feisty, determined athlete with a ton of natural ability, which he has trouble tapping, until his credibility is on the line. When called out by Burke and Wilson last season, he responded with some of his best work since migrating to the East. If we know anything at all about Toskala, it is that he is an enigma. He’s calm to the point of apparent disinterest, yet he’s a fierce little competitor when he decides to be. He can rob you blind when it’s on the line, then turn around and wave at a low percentage shot as it hits the back of the net. With his integrity now challenged, the very best of Toskala must emerge. There will be no contract extension, and few jerseys sold bearing the number 35. Time to put distraction behind him and play for nothing but his own pride.

Wilson and Burke made it clear. As of last night, Toskala is the starting goaltender of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is to be given every opportunity to remain our starting goaltender, while Jonas Gustavsson develops his NHL game. How many more stays of execution Vesa has before The Monster is ordained the starter is anyone’s guess, but let’s be clear here: until the defense gets organized, and employs a cohesive system that everyone understands, you can have Roberto Luongo back there and it won’t save you.

Although it is far too early to try and identify any real patterns, it is already apparent that a conscientious decision to play smarter positional hockey, and better attention to detail are very much needed in the back end. Far too many blown assignments and risky neutral zone gambles have already occurred, and there is little doubt that the brass will be addressing these matters in very short order…

The Washington Caps made quick work of Toskala in their home opener, with Ovechkin breaking the seal on the first period by unleashing his patented wrister from high in the slot with 220 pounds of Luke Schenn draped all over him. Toskala was chased from the game after just twenty minutes after allowing three goals on eleven shots, making way for Jonas The Monster Gustavsson, now charged with the formidable task of reigning in a rabid Caps offense, and its 20 000 supporters, in his rookie debut appearance. No pressure…
Stopping 16 of 19 shots, Gustavsson received little to no support from a ragged D –corps, but played well enough to allow his team to reclaim a little respectability, capping the night with a 6-4 loss in what can only be described as an offensive onslaught, led by the Great 8 himself, Alex Ovechkin. There is nothing he didn’t do last night, except fight. He threw hits, scored goals, broke up plays, set up goals- in short he dominated the game, as expected.

Kudos to the Leaf forwards for keeping their feet moving and going hard at Varlamov, who played a very solid game, robbing the Leafs on many high percentage shots and scoring attempts from the crease. The constant pressure in the offensive zone finally took its toll on the Caps D, and led to several power play chances. Ultimately, the Leafs solved the Varlamov riddle by increasing the amount of traffic he had to deal with, creating productive screens and rebound opportunities, but it was not enough to salvage the game.

Last night was a rehearsal, in many ways, for Tuesday’s match with Ottawa. They are somewhat similar clubs, with similar strengths and weaknesses. A potent top line, newly acquired secondary scoring, wild-card goaltending which can either make or break their year, and a questionable back end, save for the Caps’ Mike Green. When The Leafs face off against sworn rivals Ottawa Senators, the defense must keep their emotions in check, adhere to assignments, and play like opportunists, by forcing mistakes without abdicating their position. We have the forecheckers to capitalize on the mistakes that come with the run and gun game, and the speed to exploit flat-footed D-men.

If Wilson and Burke have decided who starts on Tuesday, they aren’t talking. If they go with the incumbent, it indicates that they are protecting their investment in Gustavsson more than they are showing faith in Toskala. Neither Burke or Wilson likes to rush with rookies, and they want to be very careful with how they handle their future number one.
If they go with the upstart, it may spell the beginning of the end for Toskala as a Leaf. Or it may give him fuel to ignite the competitive fire that endeared him to Leaf fans originally in 2007.Either way, it falls to Toskala alone to do what he must with whatever time he has left…and to The Monster to be ready when called upon…