tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Do You Remember Felix Potvin?

The 1992-93 Toronto Maple Leafs captured the hearts of Leaf Nation as they made their way to the Western Conference Final and but for a blown call by Kerry Fraser should have been in the Stanley Cup Finals. The goaltender for that team was a 21 year old by the name of Felix Potvin. Potvin played well enough that the Leafs were able to trade Grant Fuhr to Buffalo for Dave Andreychuk and Darren Puppa. The Leafs were one high sticking call away from the Finals and a date with Montreal with a 21 year old inexperienced goaltender and a defense that was anchored by veterans Jamie Macoun, Dave Ellett, Bob Rouse, Todd Gill, Sylvain Lefebvre, and Dmitri Mironov.

Why am I bringing this all to light?? Rumors are hot and heavy that the Leafs are interested in acquiring Miikka Kiprusoff. Many are saying that Toronto needs an experienced goaltender but as history shows that is not the case. If the current edition of the Maple Leafs could add an experienced defenseman to go along with Dion Phaneuf, Mark Fraser, John Michael-Liles, Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson, the Leafs would be able to bring Jake Gardiner and Mike Kostka into the fray if necessary.

James Reimer and Ben Scrivens have led the Leafs this far and to now add a Kiprusoff or a Luongo would make no sense. Combined their salaries don't come close to either Kiprusoff's or Luongo's and would allow the Leafs greater flexibility in the off season. Moreover, how can these kid goalies gain playoff experience if they don't play. Being in a playoff spot is great and certainly anything can happen but logic would say that the Leafs will not win the Stanley Cup this year so why not allow these kids to grow by experiencing what it means to play goal in the playoffs.

This morning Darren Dreger said that the Leafs getting Kiprusoff would make them a better team. I disagree. Getting a player like a Keith Yandle would be much better than getting Kiprusoff. Here's hoping Dave Nonis sticks to the plan and doesn't mortgage the future. Does anyone remember Owen Nolan??