The Toronto Maple Leafs have some shuffling in the crease, but it has a major reason for it. Joseph Woll has an injury and is listed day-to-day. Moreover, he did return to practice earlier today. However, is returning to practice an indication of exactly when you will return?

 

Update on the Joseph Woll Injury News

Joseph Woll is beginning to fall into the realm of people being classified as injury prone. Is that a problem? Rather than call it a setback, it is more of a regroup at the end of the day. It is not unremarkable these days that NHL goaltenders are virtually unable to achieve more than 60 regular season starts. Furthermore, Stuart Skinner‘s 2023-24 games played total was very impressive. 82 regular season and playoff games officially by count.

 

Goaltenders are a product of very linear and steady but slow positive regression when it comes to total games played in any one season. Joseph Woll is a product of the Boston College Eagles program from 2016 to 2019. Going back a number of years through Woll’s hockey playing career, he’s never been above 37 games played. For example, his career-high in professional games in one season is 32 from his rookie pro campaign. His .912 SV% in NHL games, does give him the benefit of the doubt when healthy.

Who Else Do the Leafs Have to Fill In Between the Pipes?

When you really think about the Leafs goaltending situation, there is positivity. Matt Murray is a veteran presence within the organization. Good. Furthermore, Dennis Hildeby is a star in the making, but also very green. There’s no level of expectation for the player. However, there is a significant upside to this player.

For the Leafs, they are equipped for this type of situation in 2024-25. Having Anthony Stolarz brought in during the offseason from the Florida Panthers was a big deal. As a  30-year-old career backup, he has amassed 111 career NHL games. In 2022-23 with the Anaheim Ducks, he posted a .899 SV%. Moreover, his career SV% of .916, suggests that was an outlier, and that means, the Leafs might be in for a treat.

The Leafs will be able to fill the gap. Woll will be back sooner rather than later. For the meantime, Stolarz is able to step up, that’s why he was brought in.  Also, they have competent NHL goaltenders that can now step in to a backup role. These are all extremely positive things for the Leafs. In terms of goaltending, things are looking up.