What's The Deal With Cujo?

When former Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher signed back-up goalie Curtis Joseph to a one-year deal on Canada Day, visions of Cujo’s former brilliance danced in fans’ heads.

The Keswick, Ont. native was brilliant in his first stint with Toronto. He was a nightly highlight reel who posted three consecutive 30+ win seasons and finished second in Vezina voting in 1999 and 2000.

Many have said he was the best goalie in these parts since Johnny Bower backstopped their last Stanley Cup in 1967.

Joseph was so popular the city fathers should have given him the key to the city, or, at least, named a holiday after him.

However, Joseph is six-years removed from his last stay in Toronto and it looks painfully obvious that he is not close to what he once was.

Nor should he be, but at 41 years of age, the ravages of time have finally caught up with him.

While the starter gets the glory, the position of back-up goaltender is often looked on as a mere afterthought. Unless you have a Martin Brodeur type, who plays 70+ games a year, it’s crucial the back-up be more than a warm body to fill the 4X6.

A perfect example of that is Ty Conklin. When Penguins starter Marc-Andre Fleury went down with a high ankle sprain last year, Conklin came in a won his first seven starts and went an impressive 17-6-5.

While nobody expects Joseph to match those lofty numbers, it seems he won’t be getting much of an opportunity to fulfill his contractual obligations.

Judging by Cujo’s season results (0-4, 4.12 GAA) head coach Ron Wilson let his actions do the talking.

In an 8-5 loss to the Bruins on Dec 18., Joseph replaced Toskala early in the first but surrendered four goals in ten shots during the second period. When the Leafs pulled the game back to 6-5, Wilson sent Toskala back into the net to start the third period.

During his post-game autopsy, Wilson bristled at the idea that Joseph was near the end. Though he wasn’t exactly clear why he put Toskala back in for the third period he offered no rationale for the decision.

Two nights later the Leafs were in Atlanta and Toskala was sidelined with a groin strain. The Leafs called up Toronto Marlies (Leafs AHL affiliate) goalie Justin Pogge to start the game while Joseph languished on the bench.

A humiliating 8-2 home loss to the Dallas Stars on Dec 23., crystallized the point.

Toskala was the victim of a porous defensive effort. He gave up seven goals in 31 minutes of work and then was replaced by Joseph.

That begs the question as to why Wilson kept Toskala in net for seven goals.

Even the most optimistic Leaf fan wasn’t convinced of a Boston style rally.

So, there was no tangible reason for Toskala to hear a barrage of cat calls and jeers from the surly 19,000 in attendance.

Wilson has simply lost confidence in Joseph and, in Pogge, the Leafs have an escape clause.

The Leafs are in re-building mode and it seems obvious that Pogge is going to get a chance to play more often. Although he was returned to the minors when Toskala proclaimed he was fit to play against Dallas.

Pogge is a middle-of-the-road AHL goalie but Leafs GM Brian Burke lacks a soft spot for Joseph like Fletcher did.

Many believe that Pogge’s one-game audition may turn into a series of games.. If he performs well it may force the Leafs to make a decision on Josephs’ future with the club.

One potential outcome would be to buy-out Joseph and promote him within the organization, likely at a coaching level (a similar move happened last month when Luke Richardson retired with the Ottawa Senators).

Joseph has 449 wins, fourth all-time, and he wears Teflon in this city. However, there is no room for the hazy memories of the past. His recent performance has been sub-par and sentimentality won’t cut it for Burke and that, for Joseph, may be the deepest cut of all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.