Joseph Woll is heading to the World Championship and the Leafs starting goalie debate gets decided there

All the headlines that surround the Toronto Maple Leafs lately have solely focused on two key elements: Auston Matthews' future and if they're going to pick Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

While no doubt two crucial issues that need tending to, it's not exactly the only thing that Toronto has to focus on. Defensive issues and steadier goaltending are both things John Chayka can't leave until the last-minute, and he's going to need to make sure he has the right guy in net when the season opens up.

Which is why it's perfect then that he'll be able to have a goaltender not only ready for next season, but one who is ready to show that the starting job belongs to him - Joseph Woll.

Woll joins the United States for the IIHF World Championships which are being held in Switzerland from May 15-31. He will get a chance to earn gold with the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, James Hagens and Justin Faulk and most likely will draw a lot of responsibility.

With Devin Cooley and Drew Commesso the other two netminders, the US side should be looking at the reliable and steady Woll to steer them through the tournament.

Woll does have international experience, playing for the US World Junior side in 2015-16 as well as part of the U-17 World Hockey Championships so it's not like he's unfamiliar with this type of pressure and his NHL experience will only better his numbers.

He's looking to bounce back from a year where he wasn't exactly at his best though certainly put in a stronger performance than his running mate Anthony Stolarz.

Woll had a 15-16-7 record with a 3.34 GAA and .898 SV%, and while the numbers look horrible at first glance, from January to March he had a .901 SV% and only went below .900 in SV% twice in 12 games. It wasn't his fault the Maple Leafs couldn't defend to save their lives.

Not only does Woll need to show the Maple Leafs they can trust him to run things next season, but it's going to make an Anthony Stolarz decision a lot, lot easier.

If Woll can prove that he can withstand pressure, stay healthy, and go back to his old form then with Dennis Hildeby already waiting in the wings and proven to be NHL-ready; Stolarz is the odd man out.

Add in Artur Akhtyamov who is helping keep the Marlies in the playoffs and suddenly there are four goalies and only a couple spots. With teams needing to improve their goaltending this season, Stolarz would be the perfect candidate to boost that without breaking the bank.

That move could lead to Toronto getting their defender they need or perhaps wiggle their way into a first-round pick and find a late selection who turns out to be a stud. Stolarz is likely going to have his suitors, and having three goalies to swap in and out makes that almost an inevitability.

Toronto can't afford to keep a consistently hurt Stolarz and the more he misses, the more he becomes a liability and unreliable. Why are you paying him nearly $4-million to start when he can only handle 15 games a year? It's a waste of money frankly.

Woll can ensure that he becomes the Maple Leafs starter of the future as he was always intended to be, and all it should take is a strong performance at the World Championships, though he certainly will have some tough competition ahead of him.

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