Why trading Joseph Woll has become the Maple Leafs' most realistic solution
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto needs a puck-moving defender to replace Morgan Rielly and that move is going to cost significant assets. The good news is Dennis Hildeby just made Joseph Woll expendable.
The talk of the town for the Maple Leafs for a long time but especially this season is finding that replacement for Morgan Rielly. They need someone more mobile, able to transition into the offensive zone better, and maybe decide to take a shot or two instead of passing up opportunities.
That isn't a cheap fix, and ignoring the optics of Rielly's deal - it's going to take a lot to replace him regardless.
The Dennis Hildeby emergence proves Joseph Woll is no longer a touchable asset
It's a great thing they have a towering 6-foot-7, 24-year old 'Hildebeast' ready to make his mark.
According to David Pagnotta, he's the reason why many teams around the league are wondering what's going to happen this summer with the goaltender logjam:
I think there are teams that are curious what they do with the Woll-Stolarz combo, especially with Dennis Hildeby coming into the frame. - Pagnotta, DFO Rundown (03/11/26)
In his short stint with Toronto this year, he's posted a 5-6-4 record but has a 2.90 GAA and .910 SV%. While not so spectacular of a record, those auxiliary stats show that the team in front of him was the issue.
Plus, he's a guy who much like Woll has developed in the system and came up to grow as a true prospect. Plus, with Anthony Stolarz's contract extension kicking in and Woll's lack of trade protection until 2027-28; it's time to make a deal.
Woll, 27, has a 14-11-4 record and much like Hildeby has been let down by his team in front of him. His 3.13 GAA is unsightly however he has a .903 SV% so he's making saves when he can - just not enough.
He's more than good to be a starter, but not in Toronto especially with the team needing some serious help in front of the net.
Brad Treliving's goaltending logjam is a multi-million dollar mistake
While it's a genuine positive that Brad Treliving not only found two starters, but did so for just a shade over $6-million.
However, it didn't come without its risks. Stolarz was hurt last year for a month, got knocked out of the postseason, then missed two months this year after struggling for the early part of the season.
Woll hasn't exactly stayed healthy either, with him and Stolarz flip-flopping between the IR however he's still four years younger and has fresher legs under him so trading for Woll makes more sense for a team who's window isn't within the next year or two.
But Hildeby is also signed until 2028, as is Woll. By then, Hildeby will be the same age as Woll now while the latter is turning 30 - which is where Stolarz is at now.
With Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa also in the pipeline, not to mention future draft picks who could turn out to be NHL-material and suddenly there's a comfortable reason to trade Woll.
Moving Joseph Woll is the type of calculated risk a new President needs to take
But if Brad Treliving is in charge, that's never going to happen. He's so bashful to really strike a huge deal, and when he does he often gets fleeced (Dougie Hamilton, Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk, Fraser Minten...the list goes on).
Which is why having a new President come in and take charge is so crucial. There have been inklings that Chris Pronger might be considered for the role left vacant by Brendan Shanahan, and he's the type of cutthroat businessman to get it done.
This is a guy who was part of the front office when the team acquired Mason Marchment from Toronto, saw and Eetu Luostarinen and Erik Haula come over with the former being a crucial part of Florida's Stanley Cup runs.
Plus, there's been a decade of failure with the Shanahan decisions, the massive contracts handed out, the consistent trading of future stars, and a consistent lack of managerial fire.
Toronto is too scared to make big moves right now, and it's hard to see them making anything substantial this summer if MLSE keeps the current group in charge.
Brad Treliving has five assistants and a special advisor but couldn't make a good trade to save his life.
That's why it's time for him to get out and a guy like Pronger to come in because taking those calculated risks can lead to a huge reward in the future.
But you'll never know unless you actually take the leap.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Jake McCabe's George Parros jab proves the Maple Leafs are in total revolt against the NHL
Jake McCabe's George Parros jab proves the Maple Leafs are in total revolt against the NHL
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 15|823 ANSWERS Why trading Joseph Woll has become the Maple Leafs' most realistic solution Which goalie should the Maple Leafs trade? | ||
| Joseph Woll | 127 | 15.4 % |
| Anthony Stolarz | 591 | 71.8 % |
| Dennis Hildeby | 49 | 6 % |
| Artur Akhtyamov | 56 | 6.8 % |
| List of polls | ||