The Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltending situation has taken a turn for the worse, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the team's external trade options as the season progresses. Joseph Woll, who had emerged as the team's de facto starter, has been placed on injured reserve (IR) with a lower-body injury retroactive to December 4. This setback, coupled with Anthony Stolarz's continued absence due to an upper-body injury since November 11, leaves the Leafs with a precarious situation between the pipes.
Head coach Craig Berube has expressed hope that Woll's absence will be limited to a week. However, this latest injury raises concerns about Woll's reliability and ability to stay healthy for an extended period. Woll had previously missed a significant portion of training camp and the start of the regular season due to personal reasons, only returning to the lineup on November 15. In his eight starts since Stolarz's injury, Woll posted a 4-3-1 record with a .923 save percentage and a 2.44 goals-against average.
With both Woll and Stolarz sidelined, the Maple Leafs are now forced to rely on inexperienced goaltenders. Dennis Hildeby is expected to assume the starting role, with Artur Akhtyamov recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies to serve as his backup. Hildeby has a 1-2-1 record in six starts this year, with a .919 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average. Akhtyamov, on the other hand, has yet to make his NHL debut.
The Maple Leafs' current goaltending woes may force general manager Brad Treliving to explore the trade market for potential solutions. Several factors will influence Treliving's approach, including the severity and duration of Woll's injury, Hildeby's performance as the temporary starter, and the availability of suitable goaltenders on other teams.
Potential trade targets could include Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings, Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens, or Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks. However, each of these options comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Talbot is on an expiring contract and could be a short-term solution if Detroit becomes a seller. Montembeault might be a longer-term option, but trading with the Canadiens could be complicated. Lankinen's contract extends through 2030, but his current performance is concerning.
Beyond the goaltending situation, the Maple Leafs may also look to address other areas of need through trades. Forwards Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, and Matias Maccelli have been mentioned as potential trade candidates. The team's lack of high draft picks and top prospects could limit Treliving's ability to make significant acquisitions.
One potential trade partner could be the Utah Mammoth, who have the cap space and prospect depth to be aggressive in the market. The Leafs could offer depth forwards like Maccelli or Max Domi in exchange for prospects to bolster their pipeline.
Ultimately, the Maple Leafs' trade options will depend on a variety of factors, with Woll's health being a key determinant. If Woll's injury proves to be more serious than initially anticipated or if Hildeby struggles as the starter, Treliving may be forced to make a move to solidify the team's goaltending position.
