Will be ready to return to action: The Maple Leafs recall Joseph Woll off his conditioning loan.
The Leafs’ primary goalkeeper is very close to returning to the lineup after being called up from his conditioning loan.
Joseph Woll’s conditioning stint lasted one game, during which he won, saved 36 of 37 shots, and had
a.970 save percentage and a 1.00 GAA. While he took a physical battering from the Rocket, who crashed
the net several times during the game, he remained in there and played admirably.
His quick return to the crease indicates that the Leafs were impressed with his week of practice as well as
the start in question, and his return to the crease might be imminent. While it is unclear when this will
occur, it is a hopeful sign that the Leafs’ goaltenders are nearing full health.
It wasn’t easy, but Toronto was able to weather the storm in his absence, finishing with the league’s
eighth-best record (20-10-4) since Woll was injured on December 7. During that period, Ilya Samsonov
went through waivers to rebuild his game and has since regained his form, while Martin Jones held the
ship together as long as he could before succumbing to tiredness. Because of the Leafs’ present depth in
the crease and how desperate other teams are for decent goaltending, expect them to play with three
goalies the rest of the season.
Woll’s return to the NHL was made possible by yesterday’s roster change, which saw Max Lajoie
assigned to the Marlies. With Mark Giordano presumably nearing a comeback after leaving the team last
week due to his father’s tragic death, and Calle Jarnkrok not far behind, another paper deal is likely in
the works in the coming days. While there are several candidates to make this happen, Noah Gregor appears to be the most likely to be placed on waivers given his problems and lack of value to the team other from speed.
Woll had started 14 games, going 8-5-1 with a 2.80 GAA and.916 SV% until suffering an ankle injury on December 7th.
