Brian Burke has made it clear—he has to find a way to improve the Leafs’ goaltending next season.  Burke, who has always been a believer that a strong team starts with strong goaltending, blamed the Leafs missing the playoffs this year on poor goaltending. 

At minimum, he will be looking for a strong backup for Vesa Toskala who can push him for starts.  Scott Clemensen may be of interest as a UFA, but with the salary cap tightening there will be other good options available.

What seems clear is that Justin Pogge does not factor into the Leafs plans for next season.  Burke emphasized again and again the Pogge did not deserve the starts he was given this season. 

In losing all but his first game and putting up some terrible numbers, Pogge reinforced that he was not ready.  He will start next season with the Marlies, where he will be asked to prove that he merits being considered in the long-term plans for the Leafs.

Given the Leafs’ lack of future stars, it is unfortunate that their consensus pick for top prospect has fallen so far.  Leaf Nation can only hope that he can continue the strong play of his last couple of games and take some momentum into the playoffs and next season in the AHL. 

For Toronto’s big league team, the question is who will be paired up with Toskala.  Burke will not allow himself to once again blame goaltending for missing playoffs next year.