This Season's Most Important Toronto Maple Leafs Player Might Surprise You
Joseph Woll is looking to establish himself as a starting NHL goaltender. Despite his injury history, the Leafs are betting on him to realize his potential and find his way.
To this point in the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to reshape their roster systematically.
General manager Brad Treliving and the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs management team have resisted the calls to blow up the core and significantly change the roster. Instead, the team's weaknesses were addressed through free agency.
Defensemen Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jani Hakanpaa (his signing has yet to be officially announced), and goaltender Anthony Stolarz were signed to supplement the core of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Morgan Rielly, and Mitch Marner, who appears destined to play out the last year of his current contract.
It is well-established what the veteran core of players is capable of. The regular season performance of those individuals makes the Maple Leafs a solid bet for reaching the playoffs. The success of next season comes down to two factors: new head coach Craig Berube's ability to elevate the postseason play of the team's stars and young players emerging.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Recent Goalie Acquisitions Have Failed
Treliving and the Leafs decided to opt out of the trade market for a veteran goalie to pair with Joseph Woll. Instead, they signed Stolarz, a career backup with limited experience. He has upside and the Leafs hope the competition between the two will push them to new heights.
It's a huge risk, but the correct call. Acquiring successful goalies from other organizations is a roll of the dice. Years ago, free-agent goaltenders Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour led the Leafs on long playoff runs (yes, there is such a thing).
Recently, however, the Maple Leafs outside goalie acquisitions have not fared as well. Frederik Andersen, Jack Campbell, and Ilya Samsonov all flashed moments of brilliance, but couldn't be counted on when it mattered.
Their combined inability to make crucial saves during the postseason and the star players' lack of scoring were the two biggest culprits in the Leafs failures.
Having a veteran, dependable goalie on the roster would provide comfort, but no guarantee of success. The Leafs would rather run with the goalie they know in Woll.
Joseph Woll is this season's most important Toronto Maple Leafs player.
Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares will score goals. Marner will get around a hundred points. Those players are proven performers. They won't drastically influence the Leafs regular season standing. Their moment of judgment will start next spring.
Woll will have the greatest influence on the team's success. Despite his limited experience, the Leafs recognize his potential and ability. They showed their faith in him by signing him to a 3-year extension.
His past two playoff appearances showed promise. In this year's first round, he singlehandedly elevated the play of his teammates and confidently led the Leafs to victories in Games 5 and 6 against the Boston Bruins.
During those games, the Maple Leafs had the better goalie, a rarity in their recent playoff history.
Woll playing 45-50 games during the season and maintaining his health could see the Leafs challenge the top teams in the Eastern Conference. It's a big step, but Treliving and the team recognize his importance.
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It's a lot to ask of a young player finding his way, but Joseph Woll is the Toronto Maple Leafs most important player to the team's success.