Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Joseph Woll Has Earned an NHL Spot Next Season

By Nathan Bondy |
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)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had many standout players this season throughout their whole organization .

The depth of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes it difficult sometimes for players to get their fair shot, but a player who has been shining through, is goaltender Joseph Woll.

Joseph Woll has been having an impressive season this year between the Marlies and Leafs, but it didn’t start off likely how he’d have hoped.

Woll found his 2021-2022 season cut short due to an injury suffered in March. Setbacks occurred in the healing process as well as other injuries, and it was to the point where some fans had forgotten about Woll completely.

Well, that didn’t stop Woll and his determination, work ethic and help from the organization led him to recovery from his injuries, returning to the net on November 25th, 2022.

Since then, Joseph Woll was on a tear, winning his first 12 games in a row that he started with the Marlies, and ultimately gaining him a spot at the AHL all-star game.

Joseph Woll has an impressive 16-2-1 record with the Toronto Marlies this season, also boasting a .930 save percentage and 2.29 goals against average in those games. (elite prospects)

Joseph Woll Has Earned a Spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs Next Year

Woll’s solid play combined with Leafs injuries and Samsonov being away for the birth of his first child has made room for Woll to spend some time in the NHL, and he’s taken full advantage of it.

The 6’3″ goalie has a 3-1-0 record with the Leafs and has provided a calm presence in the net. His 2.03 goals against average and .934 save percentage help to show this although it’s a small sample size.

With Murray and Samsonov likely occupying the net for the rest of the season and playoffs, Woll’s full-time chance in the NHL won’t come this year, unless injuries factor in. With that said, Woll will be able to help boost the Marlies in their pursuit of the Calder Cup, which also enables Petruzzelli and Cavallin to help support McKay with the Growlers playoff run.

When it comes to next season though, Woll deserves to be in the NHL if he hasn’t proved it already.

Whether that’s on the Leafs or not, I believe Woll will at minimum be a backup in the NHL next year. Lots of things are up in the air currently with the Leafs for next season and I’m sure playoffs will help determine the path the Leafs want to go forward.

Samsonov is a pending RFA, who is looking like a good bet for the Leafs to try and sign, while Murray is having a decent season but carries one more year on his contract. I see Samsonov and Woll as the most likely goalies for the Leafs next season.

I know that some Leafs fans have a bitter taste in their mouth from Garret Sparks having a great season with the Marlies before ultimately being a bust with the Leafs, but Woll has had a more impressive record and has battled through more adversity in his young career.

Next. Leafs-Lightning Series Will Be One of The Best This Year. dark

Not to mention, in Woll’s sample size with the Leafs he has looked much better at the fundamentals than Sparks. There’s plenty of hockey left for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Marlies, but when next season comes around Woll should be in the NHL.

Home / Analysis