Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender Joseph Woll Takes Leave of Absence
In a surprising development, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday morning that goaltender Joseph Woll would be taking a leave of absence to deal with a family matter. This unexpected news has drawn the best wishes from the hockey community for Woll’s situation. While he steps away, the team finds itself in a fortunate position, equipped with a solid goaltending roster that is ready to step up until Woll can return.
Goaltending Depth and Future Prospects
The timeline for Woll’s comeback remains uncertain; it could be a matter of days or potentially months. However, General Manager Brad Treliving has consistently focused on building a robust pipeline of capable netminders. Toronto’s goaltending depth has evolved significantly over the years; two seasons ago, it was veteran Martin Jones who filled the third goalie position, while last year’s depth featured Matt Murray in a similar role.
Currently, with both Woll and fellow goaltender Anthony Stolarz under contract, Treliving has indicated confidence in a young cohort competing for the third-string position. This group includes Swedish netminder Dennis Hildeby, along with Russians Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa. Hildeby, aged 24, boasts the most experience among the three, having played 73 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Toronto Marlies last season, where he achieved a .908 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average. Recently, he secured a three-year contract worth approximately $2.53 million, suggesting that barring any poor performances, Hildeby is likely to receive the initial opportunity if called up to the NHL next season.
On the other hand, Akhtyamov recorded a .901 save percentage and a 2.81 goals-against average across 26 games with the Marlies, while Peksa had a more limited showing, playing just two games and finishing with an .878 save percentage and a 3.77 goals-against average. With both Akhtyamov and Peksa still young at 23, they have plenty of time to develop, yet Treliving may pivot to either if Hildeby falters once he gets a shot at the NHL level.
Importance of Woll’s Return
The return of Woll is crucial for the Maple Leafs, as he has solidified his role as a key player. Treliving will have to make decisions about which young goalie to send back to the Marlies when Woll is fit to play again. Meanwhile, while Stolarz takes on the primary goaltending duties, the pressure falls on whichever of the three youngsters assumes the role of the third goalie to maintain the team’s competitive edge in the league.
The history of goaltenders in Toronto has seen many falter under the intense scrutiny and pressure of playing in such a high-profile market. For this reason, the management must have a strong belief in their ability to deploy a rookie without hindering the team’s performance in the standings.
Challenges Ahead
The new secondary goalie will face a significant test: to support Stolarz and ensure that the Maple Leafs remain competitive in the Atlantic Division. Should they falter, it could lead to quick changes within the team’s goaltending setup. The stakes are high; for the Maple Leafs, getting Woll back quickly would be ideal, yet they must prepare for the possibility of relying on an inexperienced NHL goaltender while they await his return. Treliving’s strategy, though a risk, could yield significant benefits for the franchise as they navigate this challenging phase of their season.
