Who's The Man?

There's probably no tougher job in town than coaching the Maple Leafs, if only because several million people within an hour's drive of the ACC - wait, that only gets you to about the 401 these clogged days - believe they know how to do it better than you do.

There may be one exception to that coach-as-toughest-job rule, and that would be playing goal for the Leafs.

PAUL HUNTER/TORONTO STAR

Toskala or Raycroft opening night? A head-scratcher, that one. Hopefully it's not both.

That the two jobs are inextricably linked - pretty tough to look like a smart coach if your goalie's save percentage doesn't start with the number "9" - is just a reality as much as it is for any coach in any town.

Pat Burns was a genius when Felix Potvin was an all-star. Pat Quinn looked great in the regular season, but not so great in the post-season when neither Curtis Joseph nor Ed Belfour, it's fair to say, played their very best hockey in Toronto uniforms.

So when Paul Maurice picks a goalie to start the season opener on Wednesday against powerful Ottawa, he's exposing his own job performance to intense scrutiny.

Andrew Raycroft or Vesa Toskala? Toskala or Raycroft?

You sure can't say Toskala has come out and won the job so far,and it appears he's going to have to adjust to playing behind a Toronto defence that isn't a disciplined or talented as that he played behind in San Jose.

If Raycroft delivers a strong effort against Detroit tonight perhaps he gets the nod for opening night. Or maybe Toskala gets the home start, and Raycroft, with some success on the road last season, gets the start in Ottawa the next night.

But if there's no indication on the final weekend that Toskala is primed and ready to go, it has to be Raycroft, right?

And doesn't that represent a bit of a step backwards for a team after a big summer trade was supposed to addressed a shortfall in goal?

This is going to be a hot potato for Maurice all season.

Would he be better off to designate one as the starter or let the two compete for the job?

All those locals who are pretty certain they could do a better job coaching the team are sure to have an opinion.

Comments

[Andrew Barrie]

my coaching choice, start Clemmensen with Raycroft backing up.

Sends a message to the over payed Toskala, and the still unproven Raycroft, that they will be judged by their performances, not by the size or length of their contract.

However, if Raycroft plays exceptionally in his next preseason game (by that, I mean a shutout), then let him start, with Clemmensen backing him up.

at this point, I wouldn't think Maurice needs to worry about Ferguson being upset with having his "great" off season acquisition in the press box.

[Sandy T.]

Toskala's shaky showing may just be a case of Big Contract Syndrome. Trying a little too hard to impress fans who are actually paying attention and bosses who laid out those 'bigger than he's used to' dollars.

As a case study I refer you to Vernon Wells' 2007 season, and ol' Vern doesn't even get his big raise 'til next year.

[Walt Cummings]

They gave up 3 picks for Toskala....might as well start him and hope for the best.

[OddyOh]

Goaltending is actually the least of the Leafs' problems. How about rubbish d-men (except for Kaberle, and Kubina looks pretty good until overtime starts). And I think they're in trouble without a number two centre, Wellwood was the main reason to watch this season. Any chance they go after Jason "slo-mo" Allison again? :)

But, above and beyond all that, the true problems are the hockey genii at MLSE...this team will never get off the ground until management in Toronto is sorted out. So stop buying tickets and merchandise, as the only language they speak is CA$H!

And in response to your question, "Who's the Man?" We all know that's Bettman! :) Who cares how the Leafs do, as winning the Cup no longer means anything thanks to Gary and his troops devaluing the league to the point of no return.

[Danu]

Scott Clemmensen looked better than either Toskala or Raycroft in his preseason start.

[DJ]

I don't think the goaltending issue is primarily Maurice's problem. He has to play the cards he's been dealt and the dealer is Ferguson who dealt a top prospect (Tuuku Rusk) and three draft picks for Raycroft and Toskala. Will either goalie be the miracle worker? With a mediocre defence and too many third and fourth line players up front, it's unlikely.

[Brian]

I would go with Raycroft on this one everyone is writing him off but he did play over 70 games, the big issue with Leafs is the defence , they are good up front , but the back they look too confused to many missed assingments. Ottawa will show no mercy and if the Leafs are not ready it will be 8 to 2 score ,
I said in a previous Hockey post the east is so tight that the first month of the season could make or break a team, I think the Leafs will blow a major tire , and by January you could be seeing major changes in Toronto .

[Guido]

boy and you wonder why players don't want to play in Toronto. Clemmensen ??? are you kidding me ?

It's PRE-SEASON people .. just take a deep breath and relax. Vesa and Raycroft will be fine.

[Raymond J Stonkus]

Bring Pogge up and give him the starting assignment. He's young and hungry, it should his if he wants it. Clemmensen's a reliable backup, keep him in and make sure his skates don't get cold as they did behind Brodeur. Send both Toskala and Raycroft down to the Marlies, they need to get their confidence back.
I typed that with a straight face, didn't I? Almost.
Potentially, those are 4 starting NHL goaltenders. Potentially, those are 4 minor league back-ups. Depends on how they play and are played. Juggling these 4 is going to be an interesting act, especially for a coach and GM who will also have to think about other things, like the revolving door on a soft blue line and a certain thinness at centre.