Woll has been out of the lineup since Dec. 7 with a high-ankle sprain.
Woll has been out of the lineup since Dec. 7 with a high-ankle sprain.
Joseph Woll is finally ready.
After sustaining a high-ankle sprain in a game against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 7, the Maple Leafs goaltender is expected to make the start in goal when the club hosts the Arizona Coyotes at Scotiabank Arena.
The club is being very cautious with their goaltender.
"He's preparing to play," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said cautiously. "We'll give him every minute that we can and get through the day.
"With any player coming off of IR, you give them as much time as possible to make sure that they are good, but that is the plan."
As a precautionary measure Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov came off the ice at the team's full morning skate seconds after Woll departed, just in case there is a last-minute change of plans.
Woll was rolling earlier in the season with an 8-5-1 record and a .916 save percentage. He had firmly put himself on top of the team's goaltending depth chart after twice coming in for a struggling Samsonov against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
But on Dec. 7, Woll was slow to get up when making a save against the Ottawa Senators. He had to be helped off the ice and a lengthy rehab on his ankle commenced.
Last week, the Woll got into a single game with the Toronto Marlies as part of a conditioning sting and made 36 saves on 37 shots against the Laval Rocket. That was enough for the Leafs to bring him back with the group. The only thing that was remaining was when they should bring him back.
It was ultimately decided that Thursday's game against the Coyotes made the most sense. The club is in the midst of a 13-game losing streak and with Samsonov able to help the team pick wins during their recent seven-game winnings streak, there is less pressure on Woll to be a savior like he was earlier in the year.
"That is important, especially for a young guy," Keefe admitted. "He's really been able to keep it about him and make sure he's ready."
Leafs to carry three goaltenders on their active roster
With Woll's imminent activation to the club's active roster, Toronto will keep third-goaltending option Martin Jones on their roster, rather than sending him to the Toronto Marlies.
Having been up with the roster for more than 10 games or 30 days, Jones would require waivers again and the club doesn't want to take that risk, given how volatile the goaltending situation has been this season.
Even though Jones will stay up with the club, Keefe made it clear that Woll and Samsonov are the focus.
"I think it's really important that when you have three guys, you don't really have three guys, you've got to focus on two," Keefe said. "Jonesy's job here is to stay ready and we'll continue to work him in when we can but we don't want to be too disruptive to Samsonov or Woll, but we will manage rest and things like that accordingly.
In 2021, the Leafs carried three goaltenders on their active roster as they didn't want to lose their third goaltending option — Aaron Dell — to waivers. He never played in a game for the Leafs but dressed as the backup to Jack Campbell for one game as then-starter Frederik Andersen was given a full day of rest.
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