Maple Leafs share an important update on Joseph Woll's return plan
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have provided an update on the return of Joseph Woll, making more clear his pathway back to the NHL.
Joseph Woll has not appeared for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, having been away from the team for undisclosed "personal reasons".
Woll has returned to practicing with the Leafs earlier last week, and made his season debut in the American Hockey League for the Toronto Marlies, appearing in half of the Marlies Saturday against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
There's no direct timeline for Woll's exact return, but Leafs head coach Craig Berube has given some clarity on how long Woll will be in the minors, and then back with the Leafs.
What Craig Berube said about Joseph Woll's next step
Speaking to reporters, Craig Berube said that Woll would appear in the Marlies game Wednesday, his first full game after splitting Sunday's performance.
Berube also added that Woll is likely to rejoin the Leafs roster after Wednesday, which could set up Woll to appear for the big club on Thursday against Los Angeles.
Berube says that he will assess how Woll plays with a potential full 60 minutes, but that Woll looks poised to rejoin the Leafs after Wednesday's Marlies game.
Toronto, currently 8-7-1 on the season, have relied heavily on starter Anthony Stolarz to take on a heavier workload, appearing in 12 of the Leafs first 16 games.
Cayden Primeau, who appeared in three games for Toronto, was placed on waivers and claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes in preparation for Woll's return.
What this return plan means for the Maple Leafs
Joseph Woll's return will allow for him to take on shared starter duties alongside Anthony Stolarz as the two did last season.
The move will also send the Leafs current backup Dennis Hildeby back down to the AHL. Hildeby, who has been the Marlies starter, got his first NHL start of the season Sunday against Carolina.
There's no timeline for when Woll will be in net, with Berube keeping tight-lipped if Woll's potential return on Thursday will see him in net or not.
Toronto will let Joseph Woll take the time to ease back into the Leafs net after missing the start of the season, but once available bring him back into the roster full-time.
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