The irony of Joseph Woll as the Maple Leafs’ backbone in net

by

As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their push toward the postseason, they have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries to their roster. So far, Leafs’ players have missed a combined 202 games due to injury this season. Injuries are unavoidable between the length of the season and the level of physicality in the NHL. 

Yet despite the abundance of injuries, the Leafs remain atop the Atlantic division. Amongst all the uncertainty and absences, one area of stability has come from an unexpected source. 

Joseph Woll has been a big part of keeping the team afloat, especially in the absence of Anthony Stolarz. After last season’s disheartening postseason elimination in Game 7 against Boston, many fans were ready to abandon Joseph Woll. The oft-injured netminder was ruled out of the winner-take-all series finale after diving for a puck in the final seconds of Game 6, and he has struggled to stay on the ice throughout his career. 

Fast forward to this season, and the script has been flipped. Stolarz was in the midst of a Vezina-caliber campaign before going down with an injury on December 12th. He ended up requiring minor surgery to remove a pebble from his knee. In his absence, Woll has become the team’s backbone in the crease. 

It’s hard not to find the irony in the situation. Woll has gone from oft-injured to a source of stability that the Maple Leafs desperately need. He had become injury-prone to the point that fans would get anxious whenever he was on the ice. Any twist, fall, or dive led to the fanbase holding their collective breath, wondering if he was hurt again. That fear has dissipated (at least for some) during this stretch. To put it in nerd terms, the glass cannon has become the tank. He has been a proverbial stone wall, or “Stone Woll” if I may be so bold. 

Both Matt Murray and Dennis Hildeby have been given opportunities to help ease the goaltending strain, but neither has been solid. As a result, Woll has started 15 of 21 games in Stolarz’s absence. Not only has he stayed healthy and consistent in this stretch, he’s done so with an increased workload. The irony lies in the fact that the player many viewed as a potential hindrance has become a driving force behind keeping them in first place. 

Most fans were skeptical at best about the Stolarz/Woll tandem going into this season given both players’ injury histories. Woll did miss seven games earlier in the season while dealing with a lower-body injury. Whatever the issue was, it appears to no longer be a hindrance. Woll currently has a .907 save percentage, with 12.3 saves above expected. Not to mention, he has a current cap hit of just $766,667. Not bad for those numbers I’d say. His most impressive stretch may have been during the Leafs’ five-game win streak from December 31st to January 7th. 

Having a reliable goaltender has proven pivotal during this stretch. Witnessing Woll’s struggles with injuries and now his growth into a dependable goaltender, feels like a bit of a redemption arc. It stands to reason he can even improve once Stolarz returns to ease the burden. Judging from recent reports, that return could be soon. Possibly even before the Four Nation Face-Off.

Speaking of the Four Nations, it may be coming at a perfect time for the Maple Leafs’ goalies. Woll could certainly benefit from an extended rest after the increased load. If Stolarz can return to the level of play he was at before his surgery, and Woll can get rejuvenated from the break, the Leafs could once again have a tandem that is among the NHL’s best. More importantly, a pair that can potentially carry them to success, both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Sponsored by bet365

Leave a Comment