Goaltending's a Priority!

Florida acquires Tomas Vokoun:

Acquiring Tomas Vokoun was a key move for the Panthers and a big step towards turning them into a respectable hockey team.

The Cats got what they wanted in Vokoun, a legitimate no. 1 goalie that is.

Even though the Czech netminder sustained a severe injury to his thumb last season, which caused the emergence of Chris Mason as the Predators’ new starting ‘keeper, the Panthers have nothing to worry about, due to the fact that, since coming back from this aforementioned injury, Tomas Vokoun, proved that he was still the goalie he was during the 2005-06 season, when he lead Nashville to their 1st playoff birth.

The 30-year old netminder maintained a solid 27-12-4 record with the Preds, while giving up an average of 2.40 goals a game, and stopping 92% of the shots he faced.

With the acquisition of Vokoun, the status of Ed Belfour seems unclear, and seems to indicate that the veteran is unlikely to be re-signed.

So long, "hovering" eagle.

Toronto acquires Toskala and Bell:

Late June 2006--The Toronto Maple Leafs acquire goaltender Andrew Raycroft from the Boston Bruins for goaltending prospect Tuukka Rask. “Finally a great goalie in T.O., he is our savior” chanted Maple Leafs fans.

Late June 2007--After an unsuccessful season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Andrew Raycroft was practically “booed” out of town by the crowds at the ACC.

The 2003-04 Calder Trophy winner had a second disappointing season in a row, even though setting a new record for wins in a season by a Maple Leaf netminder, with 37.

Raycroft was mostly hurt by the ending frame of his 2006-07 season, especially in a game against Montreal where he allowed 4 goals in the first 28 minutes of Toronto’s most crucial game of the 2006-07 season. Even though Toronto won the game, they did not make the postseason for a 2nd straight year.

Toskala, used to being a “tandem” goalie at best, excelled at his role during the 2006-07 season, compiling a record of 26-10-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .908 SV%.

He will resume his role in Toronto, as Maple Leafs’ GM John Ferguson Jr. announced, despite Andrew Raycroft’s disappointing season, that the 2 goalies will be “platooning”, at least for the 1st part of the 2007-08 season.

While Toskala adds certainty and confidence to the goalie’s role, Mark Bell adds size and grit to the winger’s role in T.O..

He too, coming off a horrid season (21 Pts in 71 G), was a mere “throw-in” in this trade, but it doesn’t mean that he will be useless to Toronto for next season’s run to the playoffs.

Expect a very talented defensive line for the Maple Leafs if they retain Michael Peca, and assign Mark Bell to his line.