MAPLE LEAFS ON THE VERGE OF DEALING POGGE TO DUCKS
Sources tell TSN the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to deal goaltender Justin Pogge to the Anaheim Ducks.
The deal is expected to be completed on Monday.
The terms of the trade have been agreed on with Pogge going to the Ducks in exchange for a conditional late round draft pick that can improve based on Pogge's play.
To fill the void of a Number 3 goalie, Toronto is also expected to announce the signing of free agent goaltender Joey MacDonald.
So the Leafs traded away Tukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft, and now Justin Pogge for a conditional draft pick. Not too long ago the Leafs young goaltending depth was looking really good with 'blue-chip' prospects. What's left from that is a remaining year of Raycrofts buyout, and a draft pick... not exactly what many had in mind for these two players a few seasons ago.
But this trade is not just "doom and gloom" For one, the possible signing of Joey MacDonald is a good move. He'll provide some insurance in net should Toskala's injury problems flare up again. And at worst, he'll be a stable goaltending tandem with James Reimer on the Marlies until Reimer is capable of carrying the majority of AHL games. MacDonald played fairly well on the worst team in the league; his 0.901% in 49 games is encouraging. Maybe down the line MacDonald makes someone like Toskala movable at the deadline if Gustavsson lives up to expectations?
I like to look at the bigger picture, and try not to be so narrow minded as one move tends to trigger another. The deal is essentially a draft pick (relatively unknown at this point) and Joey MacDonald (29-years-old) for Justin Pogge (23-years-young). At the end of the day, it's not a terrible move and hopefully Pogge can find new life somewhere else because it didn't look like it was happening in Toronto.
