TAMPA -- While Cujo gets a rare start tonight for the Maple Leafs, it is prospect Justin Pogge who apparently has landed in the organization's doghouse.
In explaining his plan for the team's goaltending situation for the final month of the regular season, coach Ron Wilson said this morning that he hopes to get veteran Curtis Joseph "at least one start a week" down the stretch, including this evening's tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum.
When asked if Pogge would be summoned from the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies over the final few weeks of the season, Wilson said post-trade deadline callup restrictions make such a move difficult.
Then came a stinging shot at Pogge's less-than-stellar performance of late.
"He has not performed well since he went back to the minors," Wilson said. "He has to play better.
"We're not going to reward him for poor play."
General manager Brian Burke said management still has high hopes for Pogge.
"Would I like to have seen him play better? Yes," Burke said this afternoon. "He hasn't actually kicked the door down for another shot (at the NHL). He's been just OK. But we haven't given up on Justin Pogge yet.
"We may have called him up if it wasn't for that stupid asinine Four Callup Rule. That's ridiculous."
The rule Burke refers to is one in which teams are allowed just four callups between the trade deadline and the end of the regular season. Exceptions are made only in emergency situations.
Pogge is just 4-4 in his past eight decisions with the Marlies, posting an .897 save percentage in that span.
