Concerns around the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending have followed the team all season. As the NHL trade deadline approaches, questions still abound.
Joseph Woll continues to recover from a high ankle sprain he suffered against the Ottawa Senators in December. He made an encouraging first rehab start with the Toronto Marlies in a 4-1 victory over the Laval Rocket, stopping 36 of 37 shots.
Ilya Samsonov, the Leafs number-one goaltender to start the season, just had the longest win streak of his tenure with the team.
Martin Jones has been serviceable and has done what was required of him throughout the year. It hasn't always been pretty, but he has won games and played during recent back-to-back games to allow rest for Samsonov.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Not Acquire a Goaltender at the Trade Deadline
The Leafs have two weeks to determine if they are happy with their goaltending situation before the NHL trade deadline arrives.
Ideally, Woll will get in a couple more games, preferably against NHL competition and the Leafs can decide if his play is comparable to the level he displayed earlier in the year.
Samsonov, after losing the number-one job to Woll due to his disastrous early-season play, has steadied himself and looks more like the player he was last season.
Jones, is there as insurance, as was the Leafs intention since he was signed in the offseason. In other words, the team's goaltending is falling into place as the trade deadline approaches.