Maple Leafs cautious with Toskala

Dec 27, 2007 - 10:32 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Vesa Toskala is learning to be patient. By default, so are the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Finnish netminder, who has been nursing a groin injury, was a surprise scratch for Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders. In addition, he is expected to take the role of a bystander for Thursday's game against the struggling Philadelphia Flyers.

Neither Toskala nor the Maple Leafs gave a definitive answer regarding the goaltender's status for Saturday's game against the New York Rangers.

"You know what? I don't want to make predictions. It's just day-to-day right now," Toskala told the Toronto Globe and Mail on Thursday.

Groin injuries are nothing new for netminders - but they are troublesome, especially after the 30-year-old Toskala started 12 consecutive games for the Maple Leafs.

"I guess it's pretty common for a goalie, but you must be careful that it does not get into a bigger thing," he told the newspaper.

The Maple Leafs agree, which is why they're being cautious with their summertime "investment."

Toskala, who is 13-11-4 with a 2.62 goals-against average with two shutouts this season, agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract extension through the 2009-10 season.

The Maple Leafs acquired Toskala from the San Jose Sharks on June 22, and he was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007-08 season.

Andrew Raycroft, who made 24 saves in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Islanders, is expected to get the start against the Islanders. In addition, the Maple Leafs recalled Scott Clemmensen from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.