Joseph Woll Back with Maple Leafs, GM Outlines Plan for On-Ice Return

The Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed goaltender Joseph Woll back on the ice this week, with GM Brad Treliving discussing the team’s plan for getting the young netminder up to speed and back in between the pipes. Woll, who has been on a personal leave, has been skating intermittently in recent weeks, but his return to full team practice marks the start of the organization working with him to get him game-ready.

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Treliving said the focus will be to take a measured, day-to-day approach. “The plan is really just to get him up and going,” he said. Treliving says Woll has been skating and kept himself in great shape. Now it’s about getting reps, working in traffic during practice, and eventually, likely sending him down for some conditioning games with the Toronto Marlies.

The fact that Woll hasn’t played and missed training camp isn’t ideal. The path back will be about getting Woll reps. “It’s a process, but his conditioning is fabulous, so it shouldn’t take too long,” said the GM.

Woll Being Back Is a Boost For the Maple Leafs

Treliving said that Woll’s return is also a boost to team morale. Noting the netminder’s popularity in the locker room: “It was great for the guys to see him. He’s a really close teammate, and it’s been as good for the team as it has been for Joe to be back.”

While a tentative date tied to his LTI expires November 1, Treliving made it clear Woll will not be rushed. “I believe it’s November 1st, but he won’t be ready….”

Toronto is comfortable with its goaltending depth, but Treliving wouldn’t get into details about any plans to play with three netminders this season, even after Woll’s return.

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