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Joseph Woll Poised to Seize Maple Leafs’ Starting Goalie Job – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Joseph Woll Toronto Maple Leafs

Joseph Woll enters the 2024-25 season with a prime opportunity to establish himself as the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ go-to goaltender. After splitting time with Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones last season, Woll led Toronto’s trio with a .907 save percentage (SV%). With Samsonov and Jones gone, the door is wide open for Woll to take control. Standing alongside newly signed Stanley Cup winner Anthony Stolarz, Woll is ready to battle for the 1A spot in net and could be set for a breakout season.

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Woll, 26, was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft. He’s shown steady improvement throughout his professional career. Despite dealing with injuries over the past few seasons, he has demonstrated resilience and earned the confidence of Toronto’s front office, culminating in a three-year contract extension this past summer. With the new season approaching and head coach Craig Berube behind the bench, Woll’s focus is clear: seize the starter role and guide the team through a deep playoff run.

Woll Signed a Big Contract with the Maple Leafs This Offseason

Woll signed a three-year, $10.98 million contract with the Maple Leafs. Give the organization credit. They pointed to Woll as their go-to guy and made a significant commitment to the 25-year-old. The deal, which carries an average annual value of $3.66 million, kicks in during the 2025-26 season, solidifying Woll’s place as a critical part of the Maple Leafs’ future.

Joseph Woll, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Woll impressed during the 2023-24 season, posting a 12-11-1 record with a 2.94 goals-against average (GAA) in 25 games. He further elevated his play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, going 2-2 with an outstanding 0.86 GAA and .964 SV% in three appearances, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. There’s every reason to believe that, had he been healthy for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins, the team might have taken the series.

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Drafted by Toronto in the third round (No. 62) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Woll has steadily developed into a reliable goalie. Over his short NHL career, he has accumulated a 21-13-1 record with a 2.76 GAA, a .912 SV%, and one shutout in 36 games. His playoff performances have been even more impressive, boasting a 1.78 GAA and .933 SV% over seven postseason games.

Three Reasons…

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