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Toronto Maple Leafs Face Interesting Goaltending Dilemma Next Season

By Mitchell Hartman |
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 6: Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to action against the Boston Bruins in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 6: Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to action against the Boston Bruins in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Heading into this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs had numerous questions regarding their goaltending.

Last summer the Toornto Maple Leafs made some unusual choices when it came to their net, and It’s safe to say that Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov have exceeded expectations.

While their goaltending has not been perfect, it has been solid.

The Leafs currently sit 8th in the NHL in SV% and 6th in GAA. Those stats are ahead of other cup-contending teams such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils.

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov is a big reason for this, as he has put up a strong 24-8-3 record with a .917 SV% and a 2.35 GAA. Samsonov has also been one of the NHL’s best bargains this year, as he is only being paid $1.8 million this season. (stats naturalstattrick.com).

Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Situation in 23-24

The issue is the Leafs face a problem next season between the pipes, as Samsonov will need a new contract and is due for a big raise. Adding to this problem is Matt Murray, who has been injured numerous times this year as well as being very inconsistent. Murray is also being paid $4.68 million this season and next.

However, the Leafs still have another intriguing option in goal, rookie Joseph Woll.

Woll has been one of the top goalies in the AHL this year, putting up a very impressive 16-2-0 record as well as being top 5 in SV% and GAA. Woll has also put up great stats in his limited time with the Leafs, with a 2-1-0 record this year with a .938 SV%.

Earlier this weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs called up Woll to replace Samsonov on the roster, as he is out due to his wife expecting a baby soon. Woll backed up Matt Murray in last night’s game against Ottawa, and he has more than earned his call-up to the big league.

Woll, now 24 years old, was a third-round pick in 2016 and was often thought of as the goalie of the future for the Leafs. That future could now be the present. With Ilya Samsonov out for tonight’s game and potentially more, Woll may very well get another chance to show his skills in the NHL this year.

The Leafs, who are 41-18-9 on the season, have all but locked up a playoff spot at this point with 14 games to go. They have 3 capable goalies heading into the postseason, but most signs point to Samsonov getting the start in game 1. He has been more consistent than Murray and has a lot more experience than Woll.

Many questions remain for next season, however. Do the Leafs keep Samsonov? Does Murray get traded? Will they have cap space?

Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

No matter what happens, Woll deserves to be a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’s a safe bet to say he’ll be a full-time NHLer next season.

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