The Maple Leafs' Goalie Plan Is About to Shift, and It Could Happen Fast
Photo credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs face a potential goaltending crisis, and if Joseph Woll doesn't return, it could become a lot worse.
Cayden Primeau has struggled to define his place in the Leafs net, and after a poor start against Columbus, giving up six goals on 24 shots, his time in Toronto may be over.
With a lowly 4.30GAA and .838SV% in his three games with Toronto, Primeau hasn't shown he can be the Leafs backup option, and it may force the Leafs to act rather than wait things out.
Cayden Primeau's Struggles Could Force the Maple Leafs to Reconsider Their Goalie Rotation
The struggles that Cayden Primeau has had may force the Toronto Maple Leafs to change their goaltending tactics, even if Joseph Woll isn't ready to return.
There are two different options the Leafs could go in to help their goaltending situation without Woll. They could call up Dennis Hildeby from the Marlies and give him a shot, or look at a potential signing or trade, or even a waiver claim.
Right now there's no goalies on the market, and with a signing their best option may be a former Leaf in Ilya Samsonov, a player who has only shown somewhat more promise, but could leave for Russia. James Reimer, who was released for Primeau, is one of the better options left.
That could leave Hildeby, the 24-year-old has looked solid with a .903SV% and a 2.44GAA in four games with the Marlies, appearing a lot better than his numbers let on.
Without Joseph Woll, the Leafs face an increasingly challenging decision, and they may need Woll to be the answer sooner rather than later.
Will the Maple Leafs Have to Accelerate Joseph Woll's Return?
The Toronto Maple Leafs may need Joseph Woll sooner rather than later if he is to return to the roster and help the Leafs out of a tough situation.
After a serious personal issue, Woll doesn't need to be pushed, but if he's ready to step into action, it would be something Toronto greatly appreciates the situation's boundaries.
In terms of returning to action, the Leafs may want to forgo waiting on Woll and rotating a three man goaltending unit to see if Woll is ready to be the backup, because Primeau hasn't proven he's that guy.
If Woll isn't ready to go, Toronto may be better off going with Dennis Hildeby in the minors and giving him the chance to show what he can do in net. Primeau does need to clear waivers, but it's hard to imagine a scenario where a team believes in him enough.
After struggling with Toronto in what was supposed to be his second chance, is someone going to afford him a third? At worst, Artur Akhtyamov is a capable AHL netminder while Woll waits to slot back in.
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have little choice, they need Joseph Woll, and it's time to end the Cayden Primeau experiment.
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