Merry Christmas, Justin Pogge! And a Happy New Year?

Justin Pogge and his family got an early, and perhaps their greatest and most exciting, gift of all last night, when Ron Wilson gave Pogge the nod to start Monday's Maple Leafs game against the Thrashers. It didn't come as a surprise to many after the injury to Vesa Toskala and the lack of confidence in a shaky Curtis Joseph so far this season.

Finally, four years after the Leafs drafted him 90th overall, Pogge got the chance to make the most of his hard work with his NHL debut. Fortunately for Pogge, Wilson was not the only one who wanted to give the 22-year-old an early gift. The Leafs played one of their strongest games of the season in front of a nervous but confident-looking Pogge.

The Leafs got off to a quick, 2-0 lead in the first and eventually took a three-to-zip lead before the Thrashers could beat Pogge with seconds remaining in the second period.

Not only did they once again put out a solid offensive effort with a total of six goals, but also played well defensively giving up only 21 shots on goal for a total of two goals, something the Leafs have not seen consistently this year in front of both Toskala and Joseph.

The strong performance from the Leafs players should not outshine the night of the Leafs rookie goaltender though, who also played very strong in his first ever NHL start. Although only tested 21 times, he was strong when he needed to be and came up with many big stops at key times for the Leafs.

He looked confident and played like it during a game where he was sure to be somewhat nervous. The play of Pogge may have also earned him another start for the Leafs if Toskala is not ready to go for the next game. But, it also may have gotten him a chance to stay with the team permanently!

Now the Leafs have another goaltending controversy for the second time this season. At first it was that Cujo may take the No. 1 spot away from Toskala. That was quickly dismissed.

But now, does Pogge replace Cujo as backup, and maybe even Toskala as the No. 1? I mean, seeing as how he gave us a solid win he should be given another chance to show that he should be up here, but who knows if he will even get that.

I think Cujo still has some game left but definitely has not shown it so far this season. I don't think the Leafs will give up on Cujo just yet as he is still an asset to the young leafs roster. Hopefully he will be able to finish the rest of the season strong and reach the magical 450-win mark for his career. Even though his slow start is being brought up around the league, I still think his place on the team is safe right now.

Toskala is the goalie who I think is going to be on the move if the Leafs truly want Pogge to be in the NHL for the rest of the year. I mean, getting rid of Cujo to put Pogge on the team won't help because Toskala won't want to sit on the bench, and the Leafs don't want the youngster to be sitting many games on the bench when he could be playing much more down in the AHL and improving his game.

If Toskala is moved, he could be used to bring in many young players with great potential that could help the Leafs during this rebuilding phase and, possibly, help them get out of it faster. With Toskala out of the picture, this would be the opportunity to put Pogge in the reigns as the Leafs' No. 1, and with the best backup possible for him.

Best backup maybe not because of play, but as a mentor and showing Pogge the ropes as he enters the centre of the hockey universe will definitely be a great thing for Pogge. The Leafs and Cujo himself would enjoy it.

I think the best thing for the Leafs to do is to trade Toskala for some young talented players to help them continue to rebuild, and keep Pogge up as the No. 1. It's his time to shine, and he is ready for it.

Now you would have the tandem of Pogge, the goaltender of the future that may lead the Leafs to the "Holy Grail," and Joseph, one of the greatest goalies of all-time who can help mentor and lead Pogge and the rest of the young players in the Leafs dressing room!

If this is what Brian Burke has in his plans, I myself think it's the best thing for the Leafs and would not hurt too much to lose Toskala, but, in fact, help them greatly. Only good can come of this for the Leafs future as well as for Pogge. And, possibly, create a good relationship between Pogge and Cujo, the latter who perhaps may become the Leafs goaltending coach in the future!