In light of recent development read also ……………….
Joseph Woll’s injury-plagued debut season was disappointing……………
The Toronto Maple Leafs have never been confident in their goaltending. 16 goalies under NHL contracts have appeared in at least one game for the team since the start of the Matthews-Marner-Nylander era. Over the previous eight seasons, Frederik Andersen, Jack Campbell, and Ilya Samsonov have started the majority of those games.
However, Toronto is not the only team that struggles to excel in goalie. Since only a tiny percentage of goalies fall into the elite category, many clubs are in a similar situation and have experienced their fair share of goalies.
In this franchise, goalies have come and gone frequently, particularly in the previous ten or more years, but the Maple Leafs’ current group has the potential to be quite remarkable.
In the 2021–22 NHL season, Joseph Woll, who was selected 62nd overall in the 2016 Draft, made his debut with a 3-1-0 record, a.911 save percentage, and 2.76 goals against average. Even though Woll didn’t play much in goal for the Maple Leafs a season later, he was still able to participate in seven games and have another fantastic 6-1-0 record with a.932 save % and 2.16 GAA.
For the 2023–24 season, Woll was expected to play a big part. Woll was officially designated as Ilya Samsonov’s backup after the Maple Leafs lost Matt Murray to injury. Samsonov had a fantastic 2022–23 season, and the two players had the ability to build on their previous season’s success.
In retrospect, the fact that the parties chose to proceed with arbitration rather than sign a long-term contract was actually a godsend. We might never see another season quite like Samsonov’s strange one. He began the season with a terrible.862 save percentage through the first 15 games, joining questionable, historic company after setting career-highs in games started, wins, save percentage, and goals against average.
Samsonov’s season turned around when he eventually returned to the big club after being sent on waivers, being unclaimed, and going through a reset.
As a result of the turmoil surrounding Samsonov’s play, Woll’s playing time significantly changed. After appearing in 11 games overall between 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 he rose to the position of starting for the squad, covering for veteran Martin Jones when Samsonov was not available.
Woll earned every start with his play, whether he was starting as the backup goaltender or moving up to the starting position.
After 15 games this season, Woll was more than a competent stopper for Toronto. He had a lower-body injury during his second start of the season in December, which turned out to be a high-ankle sprain, keeping him out of action for almost three months. Jones was promoted to the starting lineup and performed above and above what the organization could have asked of him. In essence, he kept the Maple Leafs’ season alive going into the new year.
When Will eventually rejoined the club in late February, it was evident that he had changed from the first two months’ goalie. A second half to forget. He recorded just four victories in 10 games, with an.890 save percentage and 3.14 GAA as the squad qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight season after starting the season with a.916 save percentage and 2.80 GAA.
Samsonov was given the starting job for the opening round of the playoffs because of Woll’s performance in the latter stages of the regular season. Samsonov wasn’t the primary reason the Leafs were behind 3-1 in the series, but Toronto had a shot to win Games 5 and 6 from puck drop to the last whistle when Sheldon Keefe started against Woll.
Unfortunately, Woll’s season ended the way it did. Due to the previously mentioned high-ankle sprain, he missed much of the season and occasionally didn’t look like his best self. In the playoffs, Woll jumped into the crease when called upon. With less than a second remaining in Game 6, Toronto was ahead 2-0, when Woll was injured trying to make a desperate last-second save. As a result, he was not in the starting lineup for Game 7.
Woll has experienced injuries in previous seasons as well. Since he has missed time in the AHL in the past, his situation could be keenly watched over his career.
The 2024–25 season will be crucial for Woll and the Maple Leafs.
The only contracted goalkeeper in the organization with NHL experience is Woll. If there are no significant moves, he will be set up for a prominent position as the likely starter. Whether he can maintain his position as the legitimate number one starter depends on his health.
After agreeing to a one-year contract late in the summer of last year, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic revealed this week that Jones is amenable to a return to the Maple Leafs. The Athletic’s James Mirtle also revealed some tasty information regarding the Maple Leafs and a certain goalkeeper who is expected to be a UFA.