The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation is a major question mark heading into training camp this fall.
The offseason focus of the Toronto Maple Leafs was predominantly on improving a middling blueline. On the whole, it seems GM Brad Treliving addressed the most pressing concerns on defence. However, another major area for concern was the goaltending.
Fans and analysts expected Toronto to make a big splash, going after a marquee netminder. For the most part, Leafs management tried their best to do so. Reportedly, the Leafs tried for and missed out on big names like Jacob Markstrom and Jusse Saros.
As such, the need to resort to a Plan B situation has sparked questions regarding the Leafs current goaltending situation. So, here are three thoughts on the matter heading into training camp this fall.
3 Thoughts on the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation
Item #1: It’s Joseph Woll’s crease to lose
Heading into the offseason, one of the biggest question marks was Joseph Woll. Would the Leafs keep him or move on from him?
The Toronto Maple Leafs did the right thing by extending him this offseason. The club extended Woll for three years at $3.67 million per season. Woll has been the best goaltending prospect the Leafs have produced since Tuukka Rask, making it worthwhile committing to him as the potential starter.
Now, this extension would have never happened had the Leafs landed a top goalie like Markstrom or Ullmark. But business is business, and the Leafs were unable to get a deal done. In my estimation, time will prove the Leafs made the right move.
That being said, it seems that Woll will get the chance to be the starter this upcoming season. If Woll has a good camp and can prove he’s ready for a full-time role, he’ll get the nod on opening night.
But there’s a catch, here. Woll needs to stay healthy in order to become anointed as the true number-one guy in Toronto. We’ve seen what he can do, especially in last year’s playoffs against Boston. However, he must stay healthy for most of the season.
If health does become an issue, the club may lose faith in Woll. That situation could push him into more of a backup role, allowing newly acquired Anthony Stolarz to get a long look as the number-one netminder.
Overall, Stolarz needs to have a brilliant camp while Woll flounders for the Leafs to shove Woll to the bottom of the pile. That scenario seems highly unlikely, meaning that Woll should get the best chance of his career to prove he belongs in the NHL.