The Toronto Maple Leafs' handling of goaltender Joseph Woll's situation has been a series of unexpected moves, leaving fans and analysts alike trying to decipher the team's strategy. From a leave of absence to being placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), and now a return to the team, the "Woll Shuffle" has been anything but straightforward.
Woll's absence began early in training camp when he took a leave to address a personal matter. The team remained tight-lipped, with General Manager Brad Treliving offering little detail, only stating it was a family matter and respecting Woll's privacy. Coach Craig Berube also said that he hadn't spoken with Woll at all. This lack of information fueled speculation and uncertainty surrounding his return.
Adding to the mystery, the Maple Leafs announced on October 23, 2025, that Woll was placed on LTIR. This move suggested Woll would be out for an extended period, as LTIR requires a player to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. It also provided the team with $3.67 million in cap space, a valuable asset for potential acquisitions. The timing of the LTIR placement raised eyebrows, considering Woll had been away from the team since training camp. Some questioned why the team didn't make the move sooner if they knew he would be out long-term. It was later revealed that the LTIR designation was primarily a strategic maneuver to create cap space needed after defenseman Chris Tanev was placed on injured reserve and Dakota Mermis was called up. With limited cap space available at the time, putting Woll on LTIR was the most viable option.
Just a day after the LTIR announcement, the Maple Leafs revealed that Woll would be rejoining the team and resuming on-ice activities as part of his return-to-play process. This sudden turn of events left many confused. However, Woll will be ineligible to play in a game before November 1st.
In Woll's absence, Anthony Stolarz and waiver claim Cayden Primeau have been holding down the crease. Stolarz has a 2-3-1 record with a .894 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average. The team hopes Stolarz can improve his performance before Woll is ready to return. The acquisition of Primeau also allows перспективен Dennis Hildeby to gain more playing time with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL.
Joseph Woll has been a promising goaltender for the Maple Leafs, showcasing his potential in the 2024-25 season where he played 42 games with a 27-14-1 record, a .909 save percentage, and a 2.73 goals-against average. However, injuries have been a recurring issue throughout his career. In July 2024, Woll signed a three-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs with an average annual value of $3.66 million.
The Maple Leafs are currently 3-3-1 through their first seven games of the 2025-26 season. Their next game is Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. With Woll's return on the horizon, the team looks to solidify their goaltending and improve their performance.
