External Trade Options for Maple Leafs With Woll a Question Mark

There is good news, bad news, and potentially even worse news in Toronto as it pertains to goaltender Joseph Woll. The bad news is that he’s out again with an injury. The good news is that head coach Craig Berube suggested it’s a minor lower-body injury: “He’ll be a week. Hopefully. … We’re not expecting it to be too long.” The potentially worse news is that this is just another piece of evidence pointing toward the Maple Leafs being unable to trust that Woll will stay healthy.

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Even if Woll returns in a week, how comfortable can the Maple Leafs possibly feel with him as their starter? When he’s healthy, and he’s on, he’s great. Starts, however, have come few and far between. It’s a growing issue, and it should be a worry for the organization if they can work themselves back into the playoff mix.

The Maple Leafs might be forced to look at trade options, checking in with teams that have goaltenders potentially available.

Cam Talbot (Detroit)

Currently sitting outside a wild-card spot, Detroit may end up as a seller. That could mean selling a netminder, and Cam Talbot’s numbers (3.01 GAA, .884 SV%) aren’t pretty, but neither are the Red Wings’. He’s been reliable in past seasons and carries just a $2.5 million expiring contract. This is a player who doesn’t require a commitment.

Sam Montembeault (Montreal)

It seems unlikely the Montreal Canadiens will trade business with the Maple Leafs, but stranger things have happened. Perhaps a change of goalies for both teams could help.

Team Canada has kept an eye on Sam Montembeault, but he’s struggling: .861 SV% and 3.61 GAA. Montreal is desperate for long-term clarity in goal — a swap might appeal. His $3.15 million cap hit fits reasonably beside Toronto’s current goaltending spend.

Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver)

Nothing in Vancouver seems stable, and Kevin Lankinen’s down season (3.45 GAA, .881 SV%) reflects that. The risk? His contract is $4.5 million through 2030. This means Toronto moving on from one of Stolarz or Woll, admitting that the tandem was not the right mix. The upside is that if Lankinen rebounds, you’ve locked in a capable tandem partner long-term.

Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus)

If Columbus believes Jet Greaves is their future, Elvis Merzlikins could be available. His recent numbers aren’t great, and he’s owed $5.4 million for two more years, but that likely makes him the trade that takes practically no return to acquire.

Stuart Skinner (Edmonton)

The Edmonton Oilers are thinking about upgrading at the goaltender position, and they’ve been linked to names like Tristan Jarry, Juuse Saros, Jordan Binnington, and others. Someone has to go, and if Edmonton finds that actual upgrade they’re seeking, their starter in Stuart Skinner might be available.

Would This Actually Move the Needle for Toronto?

If Toronto moved out one of their current netminders, maybe even both, and brought in someone like Talbot and Montembeault, how would they fare with Dennis Hildeby? It might be the kind of shakeup the team needs — and the money can work if one of the other teams agrees to take on one of the Leafs’ two injured netminders.

The Maple Leafs are going to rely heavily on Hildeby and hope that Woll returns and can stay in the lineup. Both are real question marks moving forward this season.

Next: Jarry-to-Oilers Rumors Never Added Up — At Least Not Right Now