Cujo focused on wins not retirement rumours

ATLANTA-Curtis Joseph was taken aback by the question, but admitted it was a "good one."

The question? Are you going to retire now that Justin Pogge is being showcased with the Leafs?

"That's a good question (but) no," Joseph said here yesterday as the Leafs faced the Thrashers.

"I feel good, and I've been through streaks where you get four starts and when you play 10 times in a row. The major thing is focus, get into a rhythm, and from there, things should turn around."

The "R" word has been a quiet topic of conversation around the Leafs, largely out of respect for Joseph, the 41-year-old.

Unfortunately for Joseph, age and numbers - 0-4 and some sub-par statistics - have, arguably, caught up with him. There was even a rumour he was going to hang up his skates over the Christmas break.

"I've only started four games, and that's not a good indicator of how a season's gone," Joseph said.

There has been no indication from the Leafs of a parting of ways with Joseph. One more win would give Joseph 450 and make him one of only four goalies all-time to have reached that plateau.

Leafs coach Ron Wilson also shed some light on what appears to be a long-term plan to have Joseph continue as the backup. Wilson said Pogge's start last night might mark the rookie's one and only start with the Leafs depending on the status of starter Vesa Toskala. Pogge was called up from the Marlies Sunday after Toskala returned to Toronto to nurse a groin muscles problem.

It was believed Pogge's showcase would be for more than one game, and that if he performed well enough, he might force the Leafs hand to keep him in the NHL and prompt a decision on Joseph.

One potential Joseph outcome would be a deal where his contract would end on a mutual agreement, followed by a promotion within the organization, likely at the coaching level (the Ottawa Senators a similar move with veteran defenceman Luke Richardson late last month).

Pogge may yet receive a second, longer look with the Leafs. For now, it appears he will be returned to the Marlies after tonight's game, and continue with the club's plan to make 60-plus starts at the AHL level, then seriously compete for an NHL job next fall at training camp.

He recognizes the Leafs will "go with youth (Pogge)," but his focus lies solely on his next start, and turning around his season so far.

"You don't think about that," Joseph said when asked about whether his performance might ponder him to think about retirement.

"You work hard in practice and prepare for a game, and when you get into one, you play like you always do and hope it's a good game."