This is the week the Maple Leafs find out what they really have in net and on defense
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
It looks like this upcoming week is going to be a big indicator of the future of the Maple Leafs' injured players as they are expected to get some important updates.
It's been a tough season for the Maple Leafs when it comes to injuries, as the team has lost both their everyday starting goaltenders to injury as well as two key defensemen in Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo.
There's no timeline for their return, although in Tanev's case, he has been seen skating with the team so there's at least some positive on that front.
But regarding the other two players, it's still a mystery. Woll is expected to miss time on a week-to-week basis, according to Craig Berube but that could quickly change at a moment's notice and Stolarz hasn't even started skating yet.
What this week will really tell the Maple Leafs about their crease
Berube reiterated that he doesn't have a timeline for his players, but he also was able to give a bit of insight into where things are going.
Berube spoke to reporters at Toronto's optional practice on Sunday and explained the injury situation for the trio of Tanev, Stolarz, and Woll.
Berube noted on Joseph Woll:
He's progressing the right way. Like I said, it's probably going to be this week.
If there's an update on Stolarz:
There's actually not right now. He's still not on the ice, so I'm not sure yet where he is at.
Woll is trending toward a potential return this week, if there are no setbacks, and with the schedule being a bit lenient this week with a couple days of rest, he could make an appearance this week.
This season, Woll has a 4-3-1 record with a 2.44 GAA and .923 SV% this season; he missed the first month on a personal leave of absence.
Stolarz still sounds like a ways away, and with no real indication of what is going on with the goalie, we are still left wondering and just hoping for the best right now.
Stolarz has struggled this year, posting a 6-5-1 record but with a 3.51 GAA and .884 SV%, a stark contrast from the stats we saw last season.
With Woll being great but unable to stay healthy, and Stolarz unable to replicate his past form, it's hard to say Toronto has a solidified number one starter right now.
Dennis Hildeby has been solid in relief, and his first real test as a starter went pretty good all things considered. Right now though he's got rookie Artur Akhtyamov backing him up, so even if Woll needs to play second fiddle for a game or two; it's an improvement in case Hildeby struggles.
If Woll suffers a setback and we don't hear anything more about Stolarz, then it would not be surprising to see the Maple Leafs explore a move to shore up their goaltending.
How an answer on Chris Tanev could reshape the Maple Leafs' blue line
With Tanev a possibility to return soon, that would give the blueline some new life and give Toronto a key part of the team back. While Philippe Myers has been much better recently, it's hard to replicate what Tanev brings to the table.
It would be hard to see Toronto part with the defensive pair of Jake McCabe and Troy Stecher considering how good they've been overall, but it's likely that Craig Berube would go back to the old McCabe/Tanev pairing that's been so successful.
Berube sounded positive about when Tanev will return, and that comes just in time for the Maple Leafs.
Berube said:
He feels good. He's skating, working hard. But we'll have to see when he gets looked at on Wednesday.
With Carlo on the shelf after a setback, getting Tanev back would at least give the team a bit of flexibility, and if Tanev isn't 100%, they can at least have Myers sub in a game if needed but it's not a necessity.
Considering the team is going to be using two rookie goalies, having their best defensive group in front of them is important.
By the end of the week, Toronto should at least know whether they're managing a temporary fix job in Dennis Hildeby or staring at a longer stretch without a healthy, proven NHL tandem.
That answer will decide whether Brad Treliving can stay patient with his current group or has to burn assets on another stop-gap in net or on the right side of the blue line, especially if things end up pushing back Tanev's return as well.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 864 ANSWERS This is the week the Maple Leafs find out what they really have in net and on defense Who do you think will return first for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Joseph Woll | 495 | 57.3 % |
| Chris Tanev | 281 | 32.5 % |
| Anthony Stolarz | 36 | 4.2 % |
| Marshall Rifai | 52 | 6 % |
| List of polls | ||