Something Feels Off With Joseph Woll's Situation as Leafs Fans Start to Notice
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
A new report details the lack of information that is known about the status of Joseph Woll and it's not looking good for the Toronto Maple Leafs or their fans.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have started their season without their backup netminder, Joseph Woll, with the 27-year-old currently away from the team for personal reasons, one in which the Leafs have not disclosed.
The Leafs have typically kept injury news private and have not given too much information on player statuses, and for Woll keeping things tight in making sure nothing gets reported.
With the Leafs uncertain goaltending situation with Woll out, it's begun to have questions being asked over what it means for Toronto's future in net, and if their current depth can sustain what could be a length absence for a key piece to their roster.
Reporters Keep Getting Shut Down When Asking About Woll
Appearing on Leafs Morning Take, Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox spoke on the absence of Joseph Woll, and revealed that the amount of information from the team isn't much, leaving more questions than answers.
With a lack of info coming from the media on Woll's potential return, Luke Fox admits that the team isn't being open about his status, protecting their goaltenders privacy as he deals with the personal matter keeping him out of the lineup.
Whenever you talk to anyone around the Leafs about it, they shut you down pretty quick.
As a journalist trying to cover the team, it's kind of a delicate balance because you definitely want to respect the player, you know, you know, and if something is going on in his personal life, you don't want to pry too deeply.
On the flip side of that coin is what if Anthony Stolarz gets injured? There's three back-to-backs this month.
What if, you know, Cayden Primeau looks very average to poor and he's posting save percentages that begin with an eight.
It's a major storyline that could affect the team. And we've been given zero timeline for his return.
As a journalist trying to cover the team, it's kind of a delicate balance because you definitely want to respect the player, you know, you know, and if something is going on in his personal life, you don't want to pry too deeply.
On the flip side of that coin is what if Anthony Stolarz gets injured? There's three back-to-backs this month.
What if, you know, Cayden Primeau looks very average to poor and he's posting save percentages that begin with an eight.
It's a major storyline that could affect the team. And we've been given zero timeline for his return.
The new information raises some new questions, although ultimately Woll's privacy is to be respected.
On the ice, however, some major questions are raised about what his prolonged absence means for the Toronto Maple Leafs long-term.
Fans Are Starting to Worry About What Comes Next in Net
Leafs fans are starting to feel concern over Woll's status, not just for the lack of available information, but also for Woll's personal health with his departure still largely unknown.
Woll's return date, if he does at all, isn't anything set in stone, and that has fans worried from a personal standpoint and a team one. For Leafs fans wanting the team to succeed, they know Woll plays a big part in ensuring that success.
If Woll is out for an extended period of time, a lot more of the pressure comes on Anthony Stolarz to produce.
Stolarz was one of the best goalies in the NHL season, but was limited to just 38 games, a career high for him at the age of 31.
Does Stolarz have it in him to be a top netminder with a workload of 55-60+ games?
Stolarz was already expected to potentially push into the 50 game mark for the Leafs this season, but may face a much greater workload than he's used to, and one of the highest in the league.
With a goalie in Cayden Primeau who struggled last season in Montreal, you're putting a lot of trust in Stolarz, unless Primeau proves himself otherwise.
Primeau had a league worst .836 SV% last season with the Canadiens, but did have a .927% in the AHL, the Leafs hoping the latter is more reflective of what he can be.
If Stolarz were to be injured, the starter role may fall onto Primeau, or even rookie Dennis Hildeby. The two have 61 games combined, and neither has shown the ability to be starter material, even struggling as backups.
It would be nothing short of a disaster for Toronto to lose Stolarz after the loss of Joseph Woll, and the Maple Leafs will hope their goalie situation is able to be rectified soon.
But in the meantime may have to rely on luck until they get Woll going again.
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