The Fate of the Leafs Rests on a Pogge Stick

As brainless as the acts have been outta the Leafs camp over the last two years, they have done the smart thing in developing their goaltender of the future.

Justin Pogge has spent the last two seasons progressing with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL after being a stand-out junior player in the CHL with the Calgary Hitmen.

He broke out in the World Junior Tournament in 2006, backstopping the Canadian team to an upset gold medal win over Team Russia, stopping all 35 shots he faced for a 5-0 win and was named Team Canada MVP.

Pogge also won WHL player and goaltender of the year in the 2006 and finished with incredible stats for a junior hockey goaltender going 38-10-2 with 11 shutouts and a sparkling 1.72 goals against average in 54 games.

Is it any wonder the team saw fit to part with Finnish sensation Tuuka Rask?

Pogge was nothing short of brilliant this season in leading the Marlies to first place in the AHL's North(50-21-3-6), finishing the year 26-10-0 with 4 shutouts and a 2.34 goals against average.

He is getting better, which is all you can ask when developing a highly touted player, let alone a goaltender.

Look at the rough years Pittisburgh had with Marc-Andre Fleury, or in Leafs history look at what happened to Felix Potivin after being rushed in straight out of junior.

The signing of Curtis Joseph may just mean Pogge will return to the Marlies for this season as well, a smart move considering the team will struggle this season. The last thing a young promising goaltender needs to stay confident and focused, just look at what a mess Andrew Raycroft is after his Leaf stint.

Justin Pogge is going to be the backbone of the Leafs rebuilding process, it was quite clear at the draft they are starting in goal out drafting defenceman Luke Schenn with their first pick.

With a circus act in Toronto that rivals that of the Ringling brothers, it seems there may just be some management smarts after all, and they may just have their very own Yak woman in Justin Pogge.