Maple Leafs' Update on Joseph Woll Raises More Questions Than Answers
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
A new update from Leafs head coach Craig Berube answers little about the potential return of Joseph Woll as fans start to ponder exactly what's going on with him.
Having been out since the preseason for personal reasons, Joseph Woll has not returned for the Toronto Maple Leafs start to the season, with the team remaining tight-lipped about the status of their goaltender, and when he would be back on the ice.
Woll, 27, has not made his debut for Toronto this season, leaving Anthony Stolarz to start six of the Leafs first seven games, with Cayden Primeau, claimed off waivers while Woll is out, has appeared just once so far.
Recent comments from Craig Berube on Woll's extended leave however have not changed anything about his current status, and adds even more mystery to his absence.
Toronto Provides Minimal Update on Injured Goalie Joseph Woll
Craig Berube was asked by reporters about how Joseph Woll is progressing and if he will be back skating with the team, with Berube saying he didn't have an update, but that Woll is doing well, but kept it at that.
When asked about if he was resuming skating, Berube did not give any timeline for a potential date of return, with Berube saying that he's not in communication with Woll.
I don't really have an update for you right now on Joe. He's doing fine ... when he's back, he's back.
The silence from Berube adds to more questions over Woll's absence, with the Leafs usually keeping mum in regards to any players not with the team, although the Leafs have made sure to keep any news of Woll out of the media, and are not discussing the issue in-depth.
Berube also not having contact with Woll opens up even more questions towards the seriousness of his absence, without any coordination between player and coach, more uncertainty persists and adds with this new update.
Joseph Woll's Return Still Unclear As Leafs Persist With Stolarz/Primeau
Without Woll back for Toronto, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to continue course with Anthony Stolarz and Cayden Primeau as their duo, and give Anthony Stolarz the increased workload they were worried about.
Stolarz has played a large share of the season, even more than he likely would have had to with Woll backing him up.
With the unproven Primeau as the backup, and a rookie in Dennis Hildeby the only two options, Stolarz is doing a lot more than he has had to in the past.
Stolarz has begun to have frustration set in early over the Leafs start, but has praised the team for their effort last night, even though the team lost to the New Jersey Devils.
Some fans have expressed concern over Woll, and if he will be able to return to the team, and why he hasn't, and why things are so quiet.
Toronto has seemingly no clue when Woll will be back, if he is, or if so are keeping as quiet as they can keep things, likely with minimal information to avoid leaks, with even Berube largely hands-off on the situation, focusing on the team in front of him.
The Leafs are putting Woll's privacy first and foremost over giving constant updates, but at the same time are also leaving fans with nothing, by choice.
Toronto is saying to Woll, whatever it is he is dealing with, the team is not going to make it public and are giving him the space to handle things himself.
For now, on the ice, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be in a waiting game to see what comes next for Joseph Woll, and for now the focus is on the goalies they have, and how they can work on their current options as a winning tandem.
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