And if Vesa Toskala doesn't want a back up role which he had in Toronto then he's going to have to prove more than one thing. He's in competition with Jonas Hiller this is to say Toskala believes he is in the running of competition with Hiller. J.S. Giguere never saw it as a competition between him and Hiller in fact he didn't believe in that. Toskala hopes to wash the 'blue and white' out of his gear."Hopefully soon," Toskala said. "So I can wash that blue and white out of my gear." Meaning, he didn't leave Toronto on a good note and obviously didn't have too many good memories with them. In the case of him running in competition with Hiller here is a comment he told to OC Register
"I don't think I'm a backup goalie," he said. "I obviously want to play a lot, and I know how good I can play. But like I said earlier, there are lots of things you can't control in this league. I just do whatever I have to do here to help the team make the playoffs.
"I'm not going to complain or anything. If it's my call, I would play every game because I love to play. When I play a lot, I play my best."
Most goalies play his/her best when they get a lot of time to play it creates a rhythm which is needed, despite the way one played more time will better credit to their play; thus is why Randy Carlyle's "Win. You're in" mantra did not work. Toskala is going to have to prove his worth in Anaheim especially after being acquired in the Giguere trade. Despite Giguere's struggles over the last season and a half fans and media are going to be skeptical over Toskala. Giguere wore a Ducks' uniform for way to long for there to be no skepticism but not only what was previously stated skepticism also comes from his recent struggles with Toronto. As with the comment, he is going to have to prove he can play well but maybe he'll play well in a new place. Toskala hails from a hockey mad country; where [returning] to California isn't so much of hockey crazy place. In Canada, a hockey player has about literally 30 reporters following him where in California 5 reporters for a hockey player is considered a lot. California is a state that cares a lot about baseball it's baseball made and of course, there's football but when it comes to the top four sports hockey takes the back burner.
If Toskala thinks he can out do Hiller then he's going to have to be good. No he doesn't have to be good, he has to be superior to win over a hot Hiller and he's going a lot more to prove than just stopping the puck if he wants to "pass" his newest goaltending teammate. Hiller has made a big name for himself in the Orange County hockey world and Toskala has not. While his name is very recognizable, which has been more in a scrutinized light than good. Toskala has good amount to clear off of his plate. While he is in a less pressurized market the fans are going to be critical. Especially through the remaining year since the Giguere trade still has a pretty good hold emotionally of all the Anaheim hockey fans.
More than likely Toskala would be gone after this season as he is an unrestricted free agent.Where the Ducks will most likely call upon Justin Pogge as a backup. However, the Ducks have Timo Pielmeier who has been stellar with the Condors. The Ducks also have J.P. Levasseur and Marco Cousineau as touted future goalies.
So all thoughts will be reserved on Toskala until he gets some games in a Ducks sweater under his belt. More than one game well be needed for a new player to be judged. As well, lets hope Toskala has a good attitude in the locker room if he does he should be welcomed in fairly quickly as all other players have into the Ducks family.
"Toskala said he did request jersey No.35 ... but for obvious reasons was denied. He will wear No.36."
However since Toskala said, he did request the number 35 he will be put in somewhat of a critical light for that.Even though Toskala wore 35 in Toronto that number still (as also previously mentioned) has too much of an emotional attachment among Ducks fans. Lets play the waiting game with Toskala only time will tell about him and his future.
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