Insider Reveals Which Maple Leaf Will Take a Massive Step this Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs made the surprise move to put veteran goaltender Matt Murray on LTIR recently, and now, one TSN analyst has speculated as to why.
The future of the Leafs?
Given he was healthy a few months ago, this move surprised many, but according to TSN analyst Dave Poulin, there's a big reason why the team haven't looked into a veteran or tried to play Murray in 2023-24.
That reason is Joseph Woll, who has been with the Leafs organization since the 2016 NHL Draft, and now, it appears the team could be looking to him for a breakout season in 2023-24.
I think this is about Joseph Woll. I think this is a bet on Joseph Woll, that they feel, now he's 25 years old, he's only played 11 NHL games over the course of 2 years.. He hasn't played 100 professional games in total, American Hockey League, NHL, everything.
I think is to roll the dice on Joseph Woll, because after him in the organization, guys, there is not much at all. There's not a proven 3rd string backup. You look at the guys that are slated for the Marlies, they're 20 and 21 years old. There's no pedigree, there's no background.. you don't have a Brian Elliott or Curtis McElhinney or somebody sitting in the background [with NHL experience], you don't have any of that. At least at this point, you don't... I think they feel strongly like Woll is going to take a huge step this year.
I think is to roll the dice on Joseph Woll, because after him in the organization, guys, there is not much at all. There's not a proven 3rd string backup. You look at the guys that are slated for the Marlies, they're 20 and 21 years old. There's no pedigree, there's no background.. you don't have a Brian Elliott or Curtis McElhinney or somebody sitting in the background [with NHL experience], you don't have any of that. At least at this point, you don't... I think they feel strongly like Woll is going to take a huge step this year.
An inexperienced option
Despite this perceived optimism around Woll, he has still yet to play a full season at the NHL level, with just 11 appearances to his name over the past two seasons in the Maple Leaf.
Over that time however, he's flashed potential, posting a 9-2 record with a 2.38 GAA and a .924 save percentage, and if he can step up big in 2023-24, they could have finally fixed their goaltending issue.
As Read on Maple Leafs Insider - Analyst reveals why the Leafs haven't signed a veteran goaltender this summer
| POLL | ||
July 27 | 784 answers Insider Reveals Which Maple Leaf Will Take a Massive Step this Season Can Woll step up and be a key piece for the Maple Leafs in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 593 | 75.6 % |
| No | 191 | 24.4 % |
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