Monday Morning Musings With Me "The Big E": Giggy-Six Million Mistakes?

Six million dollars in today's world isn't really a lot of money. In the eyes of Toronto Maple Leafs fans however, it may just be too much.

When J.S. Giguere first arrived in town, there were several people in the media who questioned the move. The thinking was, he was past his prime and had little to offer except a six million dollar cap hit.

There were others though who loved the move for a number of reasons. Including yours truly.

Acquiring Giguere gave the Leafs some credibility in goal. It was supposed to help lend some confidence to an increasingly youthful roster so they could develop properly without having to worry about making the odd mistake.

The acquisition was also supposed to be a cornerstone in the development of Jonas "the Monster" Gustavsson.

That aspect also made perfect sense. The Leafs already had world famous goalie coach Francois Alaire in camp to help Gustavsson hone his craft. The very same Alaire that had helped Giguere previously.

Giguere had also helped usher in and mentor his eventual replacement in Anaheim, Jonas Hiller.

Everything about this move looked great, not the least of which saw the under achieving big contracts of Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala headed out of town. 

The first game we saw Giguere play in the Blue and White was a three to nothing shut out against the New Jersey Devils.

The next game saw Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Tomas Kaberle, and the gang entertained the hated Ottawa Senators at the "Hanger".

Once again, Giggy was great and backstopped the Leafs to not only a second straight win, but more importantly a second straight shut out, the only goalie to boast that accomplishment in his first two starts with the Leafs in their storied history!

Toronto, was officially 'gettin Giggy with it'!

What the hell happened?

Giguere has since lost five in a row including one shoot out. It would be easy to say that the team in front of him isn't exactly playing the best hockey.

Newcomer Dion Phanuef who exploded into town and dazzled us all with exhibitions of toughness and leadership, is currently making Jeff Finger look really good. Phil Kessel is looking a lot like Sergei Berizen, great hands, great shot, no vision. If you will all remember, Jason Blakes signature move was to gain the line at top speed, fly into the corner, and ultimately lose the puck. Phil Kessel is doing the same thing, just on the opposite wing.

That being said, Giguere can't be expected to save the day every game, that's just not fair. He doesn't look like he could save a Marlies game right now. He looks wound too tight; he looks hurt.

Ron Wison as a coach cannot possibly be as inept as the players on the ice would lead you to believe. Yes, I've not been a fan of his since the Olympics, but that aside, is he actually teaching his players to play the way they did against the Flyers on Sunday?

The teams play aside, Jean-Sebastien Giguere is doing very little to help the Toronto Maple Leafs win games. I understand, I think, the need for his presence, but I wonder, is this really all part of Brian Burkes plan?

Don't forget! It's that time of year again, or getting there. Every year, my wife and two children and I participate in the MS Walk here in Orillia, Ontario Canada. We walk to raise funds to research a cure and usually manage to raise about $500 dollars a year! Our goal this year is to go way beyond that and raise at least $2000!Please help us make this the best year yet and make a pledge by clicking here!