The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers for package that includes Samuel Ersson and Emil Andrae.

On Tuesday the Maple Leafs announced a trade that sent goaltender Joseph Woll and defenceman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenceman Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick:

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Andrae, 24, skated in 61 games for Philadelphia last season, recording 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) while adding one assist in four playoff games.

Ersson, 26, appeared in 33 games for the Flyers last season, posting a 14-11-5 record with a goals-against average of 3.12 and an .870 save percentage.

Going the other way is Woll, who was potentially on the outs this summer due to Toronto's logjam in the crease. He recorded a 15-16-7 record with a 3.34 GAA and .898 SV% in 39 games.

Benoit, 27, had six assists in 73 games to go along with 194 hits and 114 blocks with a minus-22 rating.

Saying goodbye to a homegrown talent and a tough-as-nails blueliner

The trade comes at an interesting time for the Maple Leafs as they look to not only shed some cap space, but also bring in some much needed mobility on the back end. Ersson and Andrae are both RFA's so the Maple Leafs could look to sign them to a cheap bridge deal and see what they offer.

It also now gives the team over $27-million in cap space to work with and the 85th pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

But whatever the case, it spells the end of Woll in Toronto. The homegrown goaltender drafted 62nd overall in 2016 but the Maple Leafs had his shares of ups and downs but he was always a humble and grateful player who was a big part of the wider Toronto community.

He finishes his time in Toronto with a 63-43-9 record to go along with a 2.94 GAA and .906 SV% in 113 games and he will now look to be the shutdown starter that will hopefully push the Flyers over the edge and into the playoffs.

Benoit was acquired by the Maple Leafs as a free agent back in August 2023 and he spent his time more as a depth/bottom-pairing defender who added physicality and tenacity at the cost of any offensive help.

Benoit had 21 points in 215 games for the Maple Leafs, but added 644 hits and 327 blocks in that time. His defensive awareness at times was a liability but you know what you're getting with him at least - a guy who blocks shots, hits hard, and plays rough.

John Chayka wasted no time making moves with the NHL Draft merely a week away

But this is John Chayka saying 'Time to go to work.' He already signed Tinus Luc Koblar to his entry level deal, and now has no hesitation in making a frankly, pretty significant move so quickly after the playoffs were over.

But why waste time? There is only a week left until the draft and he still needs to get a head coach in place. However, while that's sorted, he had goaltending logjam to address and he needed to get a bit speedier and mobile on the back end.

Is this an overpayment? Potentially, and fans are not going to be happy that the return is less than spectacular given the name value but there is hope. Andrae is only 24, still offers fair amount of that shot blocking and hitting that Benoit does but he also adds a killer instinct offensively.

Elite Prospects noted about Andrae:

Andrae plays with a high work-rate when the puck is close and does whatever he can once he has committed to winning a puck-battle. Andrae walks the line well to open shooting lanes from the point, using his edges and body in an evasive way. He's got excellent vision from the point and can make great plays to set up his teammates with high-danger chances.

Well, for a team desperate for a mobile puck-moving defender who is young and cheap - this sounds like a pretty solid pickup. It's not flashy, but Toronto wants to win, and he's an improvement over their depth names.

Ersson hasn't always had the best supporting cast but his numbers are not terrible by any means. He has a 65-60-17 record (similar to Woll) with a 3.01 GAA and .884 SV%. The percentage number is rough but that also factors in how his defence was - the more shots he gets thrown at him, the more likely the opposition will score.

Now, can Chayka simply say 'No thanks' walk away from them both, and now be out four players with only a draft pick and some cash to boot? Sure.

But this feel like the first domino falling in a game plan that has many more pieces to follow. They have more money, more space, less commitment and more draft capital.

We have genuinely no clue what on Earth the Maple Leafs, John Chayka, Mats Sundin, or anyone has in mind. But maybe we should see what other moves they make before jumping to criticize this one because remember: There's always a plan.

More details to come.

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