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Maple Leafs bring back Joseph

TIM WHARNSBY

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 5:10 PM EDT 02/07/08

Toronto turns to a familiar face to fill their backup goaltending vacancy ...Read the full article

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  1. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Pogge gets a third year in the AHL...

    Why?
  2. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Cujo is a sound, conservative choice. He and Toskala give the Leafs dependable netminding. With the swirl of activity, the cards are being shuffled in the East...
  3. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Toskala is 31. Sure, he's been a career-backup goaltender until last year but you would think that at that age he woudn't need a 41-yr old veteran backup on the bench.

    Pogge, once in-line to be a saviour, will be starting his 3rd AHL season.....no word on whether he'll be the backup.

    Raise your hand, if you didn't know who Jeff Fingers was until this afternoon. How is he worth $3.5 mln a season???? That's more than AK46 who can score 30 goals a season.
  4. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:
    3:24PM Toronto signs UFA defenceman Jeff Finger to a 4 year deal worth $3.5-million a season

    4:02PM Colorado signs UFA forward Darcy Tucker to a 2 year deal worth $4.5-million
  5. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada:

    Aye! (Hand raised)
  6. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Jeff Finger:

    28 year old defenceman from Colorado

    2007-2008 72 Games 8 Goals 11 Assists 19 points Plus 12 40 P.M.

    .
  7. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    4:27PM Ottawa signs UFA goaltender Alex Auld to a 2 year deal worth $1-million
  8. Fake Name from Canada writes: I wonder how many middle-"Finger" jokes this is going to lead to.
  9. John O'Meara from At A Bay, Canada writes: Never heard of Jeff Finger until today.

    Alex Auld might have been a better choice than Cujo.
  10. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Fake Name from Canada writes: I wonder how many middle-"Finger" jokes this is going to lead to.
    ---
    Fake, That was funny. Now think about this for a second. They pair him with McCabe.................

    .
  11. Daniel Sturgis from Morocco writes: Why not bring up Pogge? Because 60-70 games in the AHL is better than 10 games in Toronto. That, and, he might not even be very good. If anything, expect him to have a stint in the NHL at some point this season.
  12. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Toskala showed last year that his body can't handle the wear and tear of an NHL season as a starter. He had a bad groin for most of the season. Had they had a decent backup, he wouldn't played so many games.

    I don't see why Pogge can't play 25-30 games. That would be the ideal way to develop him into a bonafide NHLer....or a great assessment.

    By now, if he's not dominating the AHL on a stacked Marlies team, his future is bleak.
  13. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes: for the sake of clarity:

    i like cujo, but i liked him better 5 years ago. he was a star this year in the spengler cup (swiss). however, he gets the benefit of my doubt because i know he's a team player. (and not bad between the pipes).

    finger guy? Hello? who...? c'mon cliff..., don't pi$$ away your salary (cap)...

    1 thumb up (cujo), 1 down on the fingered deal...

    salut
  14. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Daniel Sturgis from Morocco writes: Why not bring up Pogge? Because 60-70 games in the AHL is better than 10 games in Toronto. That, and, he might not even be very good. If anything, expect him to have a stint in the NHL at some point this season.
    ________

    Daniel- Most forwards don't get to the NHL before 20-23 (with the crazy exceptions) defencemen take a little longer, and goalies are last (Patrick Roy comes around once a century.)

    Pogge only has 84 AHL pro games under his belt and is just turned 22.

    Compare him to say a JG Giguere.

    Jean Sebastien Giguere played 134 AHL games before he really got his shot with the Ducks....when he was 23.

    He won the Conn Smythe when the Ducks LOST the Stanley Cup final in 2003, then earned his Cup ring in 2007.

    Patience is a virtue with goalies. Pittsburgh almost ruined Fleury.....and Buffalo with Ryan Miller...and the jury is still out on those 2 top picks.
    .
  15. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes: good post r.c. from over in the east.

    remember jacques plante? man, that guy was a hell of a goal-keeper... and he was (pretty) old :-)
  16. Jake ---- from Canada writes: This is a great move, if the Cujo and Vesa can play good with a bad team. The leafs will be able to dump one or both at the deadline. Hopefully Pogge plays well in the AHL and can come up later in the season.

    Playoff contenders always look to deal for a goalie at the deadline. The leafs will not contend this year, so doing something like this makes sense.
  17. jake and pete from Canada writes: Are Sittler and Keon still available? How about Bourjie and Iggy?

    If your goal is to finish last don't be so oviousce.
  18. Boca Junior from Canada writes: If, as many have said, you're trying to get Tavares next draft, then why bring up Pogge and let him get shellacked. Who cares if Joseph lets in 6 or 7 per game. Let Pogge mature and he'll be ready to lead a young, new team.

    As for Finger, let's just wait and see. We hardly ever see western players so it's hard to assess them, but 8 goals and a plus 12 over 72 games is not too shabby.
  19. D G from Canada writes: Everyone on TSN is wondering what the heck Toronto was doing signing Fingers to this humungous contract. Maybe Fletcher had a flashback and thinks he's Rollie Fingers.
  20. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: R. Carriere
    Referring to Jeff FINGER
    "Now think about this for a second. They pair him with McCabe".

    Miller this Carriere guy is getting too funny, that's 2 for him in 2 days.
    Maybe Carriere needs some of your infamous Fancy Don treatment.

    Attention All Mentally Impaired Lacking Knowledge of the Western Conference Toronto fans. Knowing only about what Shoalts writes (which is the Laffs and even more about the Laughs)

    Jeff Finger is a damned good D man.
    You will be IMPRESSED!--Maybe TOP TWO, certainly Top 4 on Leafs.
  21. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Joe Canada from Switzerland writes:
    remember jacques plante? man, that guy was a hell of a goal-keeper... and he was (pretty) old :-)

    Hey JC: Good name for the day!

    Ah Jacques Plante-first goalie that wore a mask and coach Toe Blake was totally against that!

    Even back then, he took over top goalie at 25!

    Some really funny and interesting stuff about Plante:

    He also knitted as a hobby and had made himself several tuques, which he wore during games in his junior hockey days.

    Plante was one of the first goalies to skate behind the net to stop the puck. He also was one of the first to raise his arm on an icing call to let his defencemen know what was happening.

    He perfected a stand-up, positional style, cutting down the angles- he became one of the first goaltenders to write a how-to book about the position.

    He was a pioneer of stickhandling and headmanning the puck; before that time, goaltenders passively stood in the net and simply deflected pucks to defencemen or backchecking forwards.

    He also wrote poetry to his wife-How cool....
    .
  22. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Hap Stokes from Canada : HS: Nice to make your aquaintance.....
  23. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: The real reason why
    The NHL desperately needs INTERLOCKING Conference play.

    So the C of U Sports Media can see the other 350 NHL players.
    And Bob Cole can learn to pronounce their names correctly.

    (ps) You eastern folks might be surprised to learn:
    There is BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER, TOUGHER and BETTER goal tending way out west over the Toronto sunset.

    Conclusion: Will make a guess that some of those unknown 350 players (ie Fingers) out west, must be at least as good as some of the more famous players playing in the inferior Eastern Conference.

    Have a Happy Fireworks tonight.
  24. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    While CUJO may be a sentimental choice, and easy at 800K, maybe the realities leave the Leafs very vulnerable.

    CUJO is 41, and played only 9 games last year because of a reported knee injury. VT cannot play 82 games and the leafs need someone who can play and perform for at least 10-15 games and give them a great chance to win.

    Playoff and non-playoff teams are usually seperated by just a few points.

    So the question is: Do you trust CUJO with those 10-15 games at 41, coming off an injury, and has only played 9 games last year.

    Nostalgia is a wonderful thing, but.............

    .
  25. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: Good points, R Carriere. The Leafs could have made a pitch for Alex Auld.
  26. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Hap Stokes from Canada writes: The real reason why
    The NHL desperately needs INTERLOCKING Conference play.

    (ps) You eastern folks might be surprised to learn:
    There is BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER, TOUGHER and BETTER goal tending way out west over the Toronto sunset.
    _____

    Hey Hap: By your post, you come from the west...great stuff! The season games in the west make the east look like slo-mo!

    I don't know what anyone would be willing to pay to watch EVERY NHL game played, but the NHL package (if you are a crazy fan like me...and others ) here is well worth the price. You get to see whatever you want, and they have great payment plans.

    just imagine watching either Ovechkin or Crosby any time you want for...well you check it out ..but what about under 50 dollars for four months, then you have it all!

    For Scot-That's less than one Platinum seat at the ACC........
    .
  27. Robert Rogers from Canada writes: Dust off the trophty shelf; make room for the Cup. Cujo and finger will point the way!!!!!
  28. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes,

    Thxs, just another traveling dumb Bluenoser like yourself pal.
    Live in the Rain Forest (Vanc Is now)
    Cheer for the Mariners, Red Sox, Canucks and Bruins.
    Like my beer, watching girls, dancing and play a fair guitar too.
    And even at 71, can still whoop any Cape Bretoner alive.
    Provided he takes off his Boxing Boots.
  29. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Hap Stokes from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes,

    Thxs, just another traveling dumb Bluenoser like yourself pal.
    Live in the Rain Forest (Vanc Is now)
    Cheer for the Mariners, Red Sox, Canucks and Bruins.
    Like my beer, watching girls, dancing and play a fair guitar too.
    And even at 71, can still whoop any Cape Bretoner alive.
    Provided he takes off his Boxing Boots.
    _______
    Great post!
    .
  30. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: 6:42PM Toronto Maple Leafs sign UFA forward Niklas Hagman to a four-year contract worth $12 million

    Methinks the money is a bit steep considering he is a third-line winger. Owners have shown that they have more money than brains.
  31. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Hagman potted 27 goals. Can't hurt. Sure the price is steep, but, as they say, 'it is what it is'. Cujo is a safe choice to back up Toskala. Looks like this is a 'transition' year for Toronto.
  32. fred kos from Canada writes: Toronto signs UFA defenceman Jeff Finger to a 4 year deal worth $3.5-million a season --last year with the Av's $450,000 I welcome cujo ! Toronto needs somebody to put the puck in the net!!! cliffboy!! last time you were here you were after defensemen.Where are they now? some of the draft picks you got rid of became stars!! cliffy boy!!
  33. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes: rc...

    it's a real treat to read your words.

    now, if we could just shoot the db's who pretend to run mlse or whatever they're calling their enterpri$e today, i'd be a happy camper up there in...

    yer muskoka :-)

    salut
  34. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: Joe Canada from Switzerland writes: rc...

    it's a real treat to read your words.

    now, if we could just shoot the db's who pretend to run mlse or whatever they're calling their enterpri$e today, i'd be a happy camper up there in...

    yer muskoka :-)

    salut
    ___
    Hey JC: the CEO of MLSE..how do you spell his name?

    Is it Richard Pity or Richard Petty?
    .
  35. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: MLSE has been giving us the finger for years. Now it's official.

    Hap Stokes for President and/or Prime Minister. He has the best resume I have ever seen.
  36. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: i'm surprised they didn't sign johnny bower
  37. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: at least finger should be good for a few yuks
  38. s from canada from Canada writes: I definitely don't think signing Joseph can make the team any worse. much better to have him in net than have Raycroft trying to perform while being constantly berated by the crowd. I don't know about Finger....3.5 mil? Seems like a lot but then again he is a bargain compared to the rest of the blueline (aside from Kaberle). I haven't seen enough of hagman. His 27 goals last year were equal to Malone's, who played on a team Crosby and Malkin. That sounds good, but his 3 points in 18 playoff games are a bit disheartening.
  39. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Given the outrageous contracts being signed of late this has to be a super bargain well worth the "paltry" amount it took.
  40. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: MLSE has been giving us the finger for years. Now it's official.

    Hap Stokes for President and/or Prime Minister. He has the best resume I have ever seen.

    And you thought I was only just another pretty face Paul
  41. The Seeker from Toronto, Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Fake Name from Canada writes: I wonder how many middle-"Finger" jokes this is going to lead to.
    ---
    Fake, That was funny. Now think about this for a second. They pair him with McCabe.................

    _________________________________________________________

    They won't pair him with McCabe because McCabe is gone - he's not coming back.

    Not sure about the Finger signing, like the Cujo signing and especially like the Niklas Hagman signing.
  42. The Seeker from Toronto, Canada writes: Must be amateur hour here - I've never read such unfunny posts before in my life.

    God, you people need to work on your material.

    Or, better yet, stick to what you are good at - whatever that is.
  43. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: joe canada, the maple leafs cannot sign jacques plante, he is dead.

    however, the hanson bros are available, now there are some harda$$ players that will make the fans forget they're losing
  44. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Jacques Plante has issued a statement through his agent J.P. Barry. "For that kind of money, I'm coming back--dead, schmed!"
  45. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes: r.c.

    i wasn't a big fan of öld wierd hallard,

    but for the sake of pettiness, i truly pity peddie.

    there's a reason why god invented jock-straps...

    ml fans really have to get with the program...

    or boycott. or jump ship. or continue lawn-bowling...

    :-)
  46. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: By the way, Cliff and Ron plan to have Finger play the point.
  47. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes: you know... i liked plante.

    i like cujo too, but bringing back the dead ain't gonna help us revive the past.

    i say: line up the ml management team, let us shoot million $ pucks at them fair and square and then we'll find out who runs to the hills and who sticks around to bring some glory back home...
  48. Patrick Matheson from Canada writes: Cujo = Winner

    Leafs = Still Suck
  49. Hap Stokes from Canada writes:
    And of other major concerns in G & M today

    "Zimbabwe's cricket future expected to highlight ICC"

    Have fun in Newfie today, drink lots of Screech and chase it with Black Horse. Thanks Danny Cleary--BTB Do you prefer your Seal Flippers fried in Lard or butter?

    Great year Danny!--Did those two bums Alex Falkner or Clowe buy you a beer and ask for your autograph?
  50. R. Carriere from MMaritimes, Canada writes:

    Joe Canada from Switzerland write

    "...but for the sake of pettiness, i truly pity peddie. "

    Good one- best one I read in a while..
    .
  51. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: The Seeker- Of course you had to read all 52 posts to determine you didn't like any. We look forward to your diamond-studded addition to our humble thread. Let's see what you can produce for us. Come on Chucklehead, we are waiting.
  52. Captain Ontario from Canada writes: Good move Fletcher!

    More leadership.

    Solid, solid goal-tending.

    Fast young players increased size and toughness with the new signing.

    Leafs are looking good!
  53. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Hap Stokes from Canada:

    What are you saying, Travelling Bookend on the Left ?

    I don't recall a Carriere crossing Joseph Howe in 1867 to bring the bookends of this great country together...

    If you are ordained President/Prime Minister by Pope Paul the first, I should get to be Vice-President or at least, be given some fat, cushy government appointment where I can sit on my a$$ all day...

    Unlike now, of course..... :)

    Cheers.
  54. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: R.Miller- you get maxime bernier's job. The benefits are up to you!
  55. Jim McBob from Canada writes: Wow. Some guy I've never heard of is going to make $3.5m per year for the next four years. The league has gone nuts.
  56. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Paul I from Rochester NY, United States:

    Paul I -- I meant that I wanted to sit on my own a$$ all day.

    Cheers.
  57. j wilson from vancouver, Canada writes: Finger is a very good defenceman, and Cujo can move aside when it's time to bring Pogge up, or play if it that time doesnt come.

    Good signings both.
  58. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Based on Day One of the free agent signings, it is tempting (and perversely amusing) to imagine how the standings could change for '09. Anyone care to prognosticate? Here are some shots in the dark...East: Penguins, Rangers, Canadiens, Bruins, Flyers, Devils, Capitals. Last playoff spot: tossup between Hurricanes, Sabres, Lightning, Senators. Destined to be on the outside: Leafs, Islanders, Panthers, Thrashers. West: Wings, Ducks, Stars, Sharks, Flames, Oilers. Last playoff spots: tossup between Wild, Coyotes, Hawks, Predators. Destined to be on the outside: Canucks, Avs, Blues, Kings, Jackets. Surprise signings: Pens ink Jagr, Oilers grab Hossa, Sundin to Detroit, Emery gets a shot in LA (and almost gets them into the playoffs). Pens win the East in a walk, but fall to Barry's Bolts (as Kolzig stones them) in the playoffs; Bruins (who pick up Danny Heatley at the trade deadline) over the Habs (who trade for Roberto Luongo when Carey Price implodes just before season's end), Devils beat the Rangers (Holik gets his revenge), Caps beat the Flyers. Boston defeats Tampa (as Olie runs out of steam), Caps over Jersey, Boston in seven over Ovie and Theo. Wings win the West again. In the playoffs Oilers and Hossa skin the Sharks; Hawks chew up the Ducks; Flames burn the Stars; Wings crush Wild/Coyotes/Preds. Oilers and Flames destroy each other, Calgary is snuffed out in the Conference Final by the Motor City Machine who have steamrolled Chicago in the semis as 'SuperMats' Sundin combines with Franzen and Holmstrom. Detroit wins the Cup, besting the Bruins in five. Happy Day After Canada Day!
  59. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Finger.... a good Adam Foote type Defenseman born in 79.

    Hagman... a good forward with good hands who scored 27 goals playing the boring Dallas Star type hockey. Responsible in both end of the ice and born in 79.

    Cujo ... older than dirt (but still younger than me) that proved last year that he can still play at this level.... perfect back up for Toskala.. great team guy and someone the Toronto fans won't be jumping all over ala Raycroft.

    Still need some scoring up front.

    Can't say as I have a problem with any of these signings.

    Miller and Billiings and your Pogge rants.... give it up. The reason he is playing next year in the AHL has been explained ad nauseum ... you do yourselves a disservice by continuing the rants.

    Cheers
  60. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Loucks,

    Ease off the kool-aid.

    What exaclty is boring Dallas Star type hockey? They scored the second most goal in the West behind Detroit and were 4th in GA. Sounds like a pretty good rounded team.

    Sorry if they weren't getting blow out 8-1 on a consistent basis.

    Hagman is going to have a tough time getting back to the 20-goal mark as a leaf.

    I think Colaicovo is a better d-man than Fingers. Younger, more experience, more offensive upside...etc. Carlos isn't worth 3.75 mln and neither is Fingers.
  61. Verona Raven from United States writes: Like Gilmour and Clark....

    Toronto fans must have a high threshold for repetition....

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