According to Kevin Weekes, the Toronto Maple Leafs are re-signing goaltender Joseph Woll to a three-year extension. Woll’s extension will consist of an average annual value in the $3.66 million. The Leafs’ netminder still has one more year remaining on his current deal of $766K AAV. It seems that General Manager Brad Treliving is expecting a big season out of Woll.
Toronto Lock-Up Woll
This goaltender has been huge for the Maple Leafs ever since his first appearance with the team back in the 2021-22 season and there’s no surprise from Woll’s extension. This past season has been the biggest test yet for Woll earning a career-high 23 starts. Throughout the season he and Ilya Samsonov shared the net as a tandem, However, Woll’s season was interrupted by a couple of injuries. Back in December, the 25-year-old suffered a high-ankle sprain, leaving him in the press box for well over two months. Third-string goaltender and veteran, Martin Jones, filled in for several games and a phenomenal job stepping in temporarily.
Eventually, Woll was able to get back in the action in late February and in his return he posted a .938 save percentage in a win over the Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Hockey Club). Although this was Woll’s worst season statistically, he still had a solid season for the Buds. He finished with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
Moreover, the Missouri native really shined in the playoffs when he featured against the Boston Bruins and that could be where Woll earned his money with this extension. Former coach of the Leafs, Sheldon Keefe decided to change things up in the crease for Game 5 where the Leafs were down 3-1 in the series. After switching Samsonov for Woll, the Leafs were able to even up the series, Woll posted .961% over Game 5 and 6, giving Toronto some life. Unfortunately, in the final seconds of Game 6, Woll picked up an injury, ruling him out for Game 7, where the Maple Leafs ultimately lost.
Can Joseph Woll Be a Number One Goaltender for the Leafs?
Given the Woll extension, it’s evident that the Leafs front office trusts and believes in him. However, does this mean he’ll be the No. 1 starter in Toronto over the next little while? Prior to the Woll extension, there were discussions that Treliving made an attempt at acquiring former Calgary Flames goalie, Jacob Markstrom. He ended up moving to the New Jersey Devils instead. While there are still many goaltenders available via trade or free agency, this extension proves that Woll will be in the mix, either as a starter or as a tandem.
Other goaltenders such as Laurent Brossoit, Logan Thompson and more, could be great options to provide that tandem and split the starts over the course of the season. Especially since it doesn’t look like Samsonov will be returning to Toronto as he is a pending UFA. What we do know after learning about this extension is that the future looks bright for Woll and only time can tell what will happen next with the Maple Leafs this offseason.
Main photo credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
