More unfortunate news emerged from Maple Leafs practice on Tuesday, as goaltender Joseph Woll was sidelined and not participating in skating ahead of that evening’s game.
This year has been incredibly challenging in terms of health for the Maple Leafs. While the team has managed to persevere, it has been grappling with a continuous wave of injuries that seem to escalate daily.
The most recent casualty is Mitch Marner, and with the 4 Nations Face-Off approaching, his absence creates additional challenges. Compounding this issue, Woll was also not on the ice before the team’s match against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
Joseph Woll is not taking part in Leafs skate in Calgary
Anthony Stolarz is in the starter’s net @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 4, 2025
It’s unclear whether Woll is dealing with an injury or if this indicates that Anthony Stolarz is ready to play. However, it’s unusual not to see Woll in the visitor’s net if he wasn’t set to start, as that’s standard practice for goalies.
If Woll is unable to play against Calgary for any reason, it could pave the way for Stolarz’s return, which was expected to happen soon.
This season, Woll has been heavily relied upon due to Stolarz’s injury, posting an 18-10-0 record with a 2.66 GAA and .909 SV%. While he’s had some struggles, he’s also delivered some outstanding saves.
UNREAL KNOB SAVE BY WOLL! 😱 #HockeyDay pic.twitter.com/z3AB7tA8Wo
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
Toronto’s Injury Concerns Could Impact Future Success
At one point, it felt like most of the Maple Leafs’ roster was sidelined due to injuries. The only players who have managed to stay healthy this season are William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, and Steven Lorentz, all of whom have not missed a game.
Additionally, Toronto’s roster isn’t particularly young; it includes several older players, and age can definitely contribute to the frequency of injuries. It’s alarming to witness how quickly these athletes fall to injuries, which doesn’t create a positive outlook as the playoffs approach—an even tougher challenge.
The team’s success this season relies heavily on goaltending, and given Woll and Stolarz’s injury histories, their prolonged absences are concerning.
The Maple Leafs need to hope that Woll isn’t facing a serious issue, as their season may hinge on his health.
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