Did Joseph Woll derail the Maple Leafs’ plans for their season-opening goalie?
The 2024-25 NHL season is underway, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to kick off the new season on the road against the Montreal Canadiens this Wednesday. While the majority of the Maple Leafs’ lineup for the opener is already established, fans are curious about who will be in goal for Toronto.
On Tuesday, first-year Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked whether Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz would start against the Canadiens, as reported by TSN’s Mark Masters. While Berube mentioned that he would announce his decision on Wednesday, it seems one of his goaltenders might have inadvertently revealed the team’s plans.
After Tuesday’s practice, Woll shared with The Hockey News’ Nick Barden that playing against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre will be “an exciting experience.”
It’s not surprising that Woll is expected to be the starter on Wednesday, considering his experience advantage. This season marks his fourth with the Maple Leafs, while Stolarz only joined the team on a two-year, $5 million contract in July.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) celebrates with defenseman Conor Timmins (25).
Despite this, Woll has plenty to prove in the upcoming season. The former third-round pick from 2016 had a challenging year, finishing with a record of 12-11-1, a .907 save percentage, and a 2.94 goals-against average in 25 games.
Woll had a strong turnaround in the playoffs, posting a .964 save percentage and a 0.86 goals-against average in three games before a back injury sidelined him. His impressive performance earned him a three-season extension worth $10.98 million.
The positive aspect for the Maple Leafs is having a dependable backup in Stolarz if Woll struggles. The 30-year-old won his first Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season, boasting a .925 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average in 27 games. Consistent goaltending has been a challenge for the Maple Leafs in recent years, and only time will tell if Woll and/or Stolarz can provide the solution they need.
