Leafs Notes: Players Surprised by Cancellation of Practice

Today is an off day for the Toronto Maple Leafs, or at least it is now. 

After being blown out for the second night in a row, this time by the L.A. Kings, the Leafs had their practice abruptly cancelled. 

According to the Toronto Star, no players knew of the sudden cancellation, not even captain Mats Sundin. 

 All players showed up intending to practice, but found no coaches on the ice, and the scheduled practice was scrapped.

So far on the Leafs' West Coast road swing they carry an 0-2 record, having been outscored 10-2.  Certainly nothing to be proud about, and the time for changes appears to be now more than ever. 

Leafs fans got some changes today, however, but I'm sure they will fall well short of the expectations fans crave.  Perhaps grasping at straws, John Ferguson Jr. made two changes to the Maple Leafs roster Jan. 11.

First, he claimed forward Dominic Moore off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.  Moore is a checking line center who is described as "giving maximum effort on every shift." 

No saviour to say the least, but let's give him a chance.  His numbers certainly aren't impressive—one goal and two assists in 30 games with Minnesota this season. 

To make matters worse, on a very tight defensive team, Moore holds a -11 plus/minus ratio.

Goaltender Justin Pogge called up from Toronto Marlies 

Also today, the Maple Leafs announced that they have called up goaltender Justin Pogge from the Toronto Marlies, their AHL affiliate.  Pogge, who was the Leafs third round choice (90th) overall in the 2004 Entry Draft, is their top prospect and is highly regarded as the franchise's goaltender of the future. 

Pogge is the starting goaltender for the Marlies this season, where his record stands at 13-3 with a pair shutouts. 

Pogge also had a decorated junior hockey career as well.  He was a member of the Canadian 2006 World Junior Championship winner and was named tournament MVP.  The same year he was named CHL Player of the Year. 

No word yet on whether or not Pogge will get his first NHL start tomorrow night in San Jose, but it appears it will be either Andrew Raycroft or himself.  Vesa Toskala has re- aggravated a groin injury that kept him on the shelf for three weeks earlier this season

Finally, Richard Peddie told local media today that the Board of Governors would be discussing the future of Leafs general manager John Ferguson Jr. very shortly, as early as this afternoon. 

Peddie went on to say that the team "clearly has a problem".

So that is your Leafs notes for today, Friday Jan. 11.  Be sure to check back here Sunday morning, as I will have a full report on the Leafs/Sharks game. And of course check this spot often, as any Leafs updates that come to me, will soon come to you.