Little Update on Justin Pogge.

[Newfie John]

I was doing some reading around the internet and found this on Justin Pogge. He has started this season very well, continuing his awesome play at the end of last season. He's been unbelievable thus far. Leaf prospect Justin Pogge is 6-0 with 2 shutouts and 8 goals against in 6 games. I don't know all the facts on this but either way it's good to hear.

No such thing as too much goaltending depth.

Tellqvist, Rask and Pogge could all be fighting for the job one day, and maybe we could get a nice catch on a trade for one of these guys one of these days.

[bluemeanie]

Add in Racine's promising development and yes, we do look hopeful in net.

[Newfie John]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

Add in Racine's promising development and yes, we do look hopeful in net.

Don't get too excited about Racine..

[bluemeanie]

Originally Posted by Newfie John

Don't get too excited about Racine..

23 year old male goal tenders never "excite" me John, but his numbers do show him improving. Perhaps there lies your trade bait?

[Newfie John]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

23 year old male goal tenders never "excite" me John, but his numbers do show him improving. Perhaps there lies your trade bait?

Trade bait possibly, but IMO he's the mirror image of Sebastien Centomo.

[leaferfan87]

Nice to see Pogge doing well. I was concerned when I saw his stats playing in Prince George, but clearly Calgary saw something they liked from him and he took the opportunity and made the most of it. He'll most likely be a Marlie next season.

[Newfie John]

The Calgary Hitman won 2-1 on Friday and 1-0 on Saturday ..

Justin Pogge was in goal for both wins giving up only 1 goal this weekend including his 6th shutout of the season on Saturday ..

That brings Pogge's season record to:

24 games .... 19 wins ... 5 losses .. 6 shutouts .... and a sparkling 1.52 GAA..

From what I hear, the Hitmen aren't even that good of a team, Pogge is doing very well.

How about this kid? If he keeps this up he should definately get a spot with Team Canada on the World Junior squad. Possibly battling it out with fellow leaf prospect Tuuka Rask when Canada plays Finland.

[Madferret]

Originally Posted by Newfie John

How about this kid? If he keeps this up he should definately get a spot with Team Canada on the World Junior squad. Possibly battling it out with fellow leaf prospect Tuuka Rask when Canada plays Finland.

Sure! He can back up Team Canada starter and Senators prospect Jeff Glass..

[Yoata]

Originally Posted by leaferfan87

Nice to see Pogge doing well. I was concerned when I saw his stats playing in Prince George, but clearly Calgary saw something they liked from him and he took the opportunity and made the most of it. He'll most likely be a Marlie next season.

The Cougars love to trade players away just before they blossom, and since they've never had a coach that considered defense a priority, their goaltenders often look bad.

[leaferfan87]

Originally Posted by Madferret

Sure! He can back up Team Canada starter and Senators prospect Jeff Glass..

Is he not in Binghampton?

[Newfie John]

Pogge made the tryout roster for Team Canada. The 4 goalies vying for the job are Pogge, Price, Dubnyk and Ellis.

IMO,

Pogge will be #1
Ellis#2
Price#3

Pogge has been dominating the WHL.

[Man.Utd]

Originally Posted by leaferfan87

Is he not in Binghampton?

And is now ineligable.

Anyway, John already mentioned that Pogge, Price, Dubnyk and Ellis all are the main candidates.

All have a definate shot, but Pogge better pick up his socks a slight notch if he wants to win the starters job, John because other have been just as hot. As good as he's been, Dubnyk and Price both play on horrible teams and have been great recently. Their overall season stats leave a little to be desired, but lately it's been great.

November stats (Dubnyk):
7-4-0, 2.24 GAA 0.928 SV%, 1 SO

For Price:
5-2-2, 1.88 GAA, 0.941 SV%, 2 SO

Plenty of hockey to play, but hockey Canada ride the hot hand. And I know Pogge for one is playing behind a very good Calgary team and his stats are not only compareable, but slightly worse (GAA of 1.59 and a SV% if .925). He's been stellar and has a legit shot, but he's done nothing to seperate himself for the others and isn't as flashy a choice which will probably hurt him. Food for thought:

Pogge faces 22 shots per game.
Dubnyk faces 28 shots per game.
Price faces 31 shots per game.
Ellis faces 32 shtos per game.

This team will be one of the weakest in years, so there will be some rubber coming our way for sure, unlike in some previous editions. Ellis has been argubley the best goaltender in the CHL the past two years, I'd be inclined to go with him normally. But it's such a short tournament and Price and Dubnyk are very talented too, if they're on then go with them. Both have been hot lately and have the "hype" factor (Price in particular). It's really close, but I would probably put Pogge's chances behing at least those of Ellis and Price assuming the latter keeps his play at this level. Dubnyk scares me because he hasn't been all that great in big contests, but his chances have been very limited. You don't want to make a judgement on such a small sample size. But are the WJC the time to experiment? It'll be close, that's for sure. I wouldn't bet against any one.

[Newfie John]

Pogge has 3 times as many shut-outs as the other guys there, and most people on other boards I've been on had said that if it weren't for Pogge, Calgary would be no where. Before the season started they weren't supposed to be that good of a team, but Pogge's stellar play has put them over the top.

Consistancy is huge for Team Canada, as the list shows as Wojtek Wolski wasn't chosen. Dubnyk didn't make the team last year because of his inconsistancy and likely it will happen again this season. Pogge has been good all year.. Price and Dubnyk have been very inconsistant. Apparently Ellis didn't play well at the summer camp and this camp will be very important for him.

All things considered, right now Pogge gets the starting job, the backup role for sure.

Either way, getting this guy in the 3rd round was a steal. He's really picked it up.

[Man.Utd]

Originally Posted by Newfie John

Pogge has 3 times as many shut-outs as the other guys there, and most people on other boards I've been on had said that if it weren't for Pogge, Calgary would be no where. Before the season started they weren't supposed to be that good of a team, but Pogge's stellar play has put them over the top.

2004-2005 Calgary Hitmen Goalies:

1. Scott Bowles: GP 32, 15 Wins,12 Losses, Ties 4
2. Justin Pogge: GP 24, 10 Wins, 9 Losses, Ties 2

Calgary actually regressed a bit (record-wise anyway) since Pogge arrived. Now let's look at Pogge stats last season:

Before the trade (Prince George):
GP 24, W 10, L 9, T 2
GAA 2.80, 891 SV%

After the trade (Calgary):
GP 24, W 14, L 12, T 3
GAA 2.29, .917 SV%

So is Calgary really benefitting that much from Pogge? Probably, he's been playing well. But why the sudden change in Pogge's numbers? Did he get better overnight? I don't doubt he's developed. He may be a goalie who excels at the mental side of the game and thus is suited well to the Hitmen team that allows few shots. Maybe he had a break-through year as young goalies often do, getting better exponentially. But I can't see him improving that much. Calgary is making Pogge look better than Pogge is making Calgary look as far as I'm concerned. It's pretty apparent, though obviously he's doing something right as teams never go far with second-rate netminders, regular or post season (except for the 2004 edition of the Ottawa Senators *sad laugh*)

Infact, Bowles put up comparable numbers to Pogge last year:

GAA 2.57, .904 SV%
Record was already covered.

No arguement with the rest, consistancy and the like. But I fail to see how anyone, espcially Pogge (who again, although great hasn't done anything to seperate himself for the others and isn't as that "hyped") has a spot in the top 2 secure. This'll be the closet battle in net in years, and last season was damn close.

For all my talk about stats, performances, etc I bet it comes down to who plays best at camp. That's all you can hope for anyway. That way all the guys will go in on equal terms, but they'll leave on terms that the play has dictated.

[Newfie John]

Pogge has always been a late bloomer and since he's been in junior he improves very quickly. I mean the guy wasn't even drafted in the midget draft and now he's on his way to the WJC? Thats the main reason for the discreptancy in his stats. He's been improving quite rapidly. This season, Pogge has been the most consistant. Consistancy is probably the biggest factor for the goaltenders going in IMO.

[bluemeanie]

Originally Posted by Newfie John

Pogge has always been a late bloomer and since he's been in junior he improves very quickly. I mean the guy wasn't even drafted in the midget draft and now he's on his way to the WJC? Thats the main reason for the discreptancy in his stats. He's been improving quite rapidly. This season, Pogge has been the most consistant. Consistancy is probably the biggest factor for the goaltenders going in IMO.

With you lighting up Pogge the way you have been J, it seems that some teams have become interested getting their hands on him... Rumour of Pogge and Antropov going as part of deal to Boston for Murray. Apparently Klee is now also rumoured to be part of the "deal". No talk of any d-man coming to Toronto in return so it makes no sence to me at all. But, it could be the start of something interesting...

[Max Power]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

With you lighting up Pogge the way you have been J, it seems that some teams have become interested getting their hands on him... Rumour of Pogge and Antropov going as part of deal to Boston for Murray. Apparently Klee is now also rumoured to be part of the "deal". No talk of any d-man coming to Toronto in return so it makes no sence to me at all. But, it could be the start of something interesting...

That sounds like one of those "made in Toronto" rumors Blue =]

[bluemeanie]

Originally Posted by Max Power

That sounds like one of those "made in Toronto" rumors Blue =]

Yeah, you'd think so. But, it's a move that wouldn't make many Leafs fans happy.... Actually, CBC sportsline, Eklund and Spector have all reported this rumour over the last few days. I suspect both Boston and Toronto will be doing something soon, this trade though... I really doubt.

[Max Power]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

Yeah, you'd think so. But, it's a move that wouldn't make many Leafs fans happy.... Actually, CBC sportsline, Eklund and Spector have all reported this rumour over the last few days. I suspect both Boston and Toronto will be doing something soon, this trade though... I really doubt.

Well I know nothing of this Pogge guy but the deal doesn?t sound that bad. Goaltenders are as predictable as my girlfriend is for a certain 7 days a month. Not to mention Antrapove appears to be a lost cause a la Bonk. At the same time from what I?ve seen Sportsnet is continuously desperate to make any leaf news so anything from them needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
From my point of view the leafs will need to give up prospects or picks with current players to make any headway for this season. This I assume is what you?re saying will not make leaf fans happy?
It?s kind of a catch 22 I guess

[Newfie John]

The Murray rumor was generated in Boston actually. IMO the trade makes no sense. Boynton is a guy I could see us wanting. There were rumors about it earlier.