Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Justin Pogge is excited about a fresh start with the Anaheim Ducks.
Pogge said last night that he expects to be dealt today to the Ducks for a conditional draft pick that will improve for the Leafs the more NHL games that the 23-year-old Pogge plays.
It was apparent that Pogge's days in the Leafs organization were numbered after he failed to exhibit promise last season in a seven-game stint that produced a 1-4-1 record, 4.35 goals against average and .844 save percentage.
Leafs general manager Brian Burke wasn't impressed with Pogge's play and then signed 24-year-old Swedish free agent Jonas Gustafsson last month.
"I think it's a good move for me," Pogge said. "I'm pretty excited about getting a fresh start, something new. I had a chance to play [with the Leafs] I played all right, but it wasn't my best. I learned a lot."
The Ducks already have Jonas Hiller and Jean-Sébastien Giguère as their No. 1 and No. 2 goalies, but this move will allow them to move the high-priced Giguère, who has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to agree to be dealt.