Toronto Maple Leafs Face Goalie Changes Ahead of Season Start

The Toronto Maple Leafs made an unexpected lineup adjustment for their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury affecting their goaltender, Joseph Woll. The news was confirmed by head coach Craig Berube, who noted that Woll had complained of tightness following practice on Tuesday.

In Woll’s absence, Anthony Stolarz was named the starting goaltender for the match. Stolarz, who signed a two-year $5 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.5 million with Toronto on July 3, brings significant experience from his previous tenure with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, where he recorded a 16-7-2 performance and led the league with a 2.03 goals-against average (GAA) and a .925 save percentage.

“He’s a really, really, really good goalie,” commended a teammate. “During the first few days at training camp, none of us could get one past him, which is a testament to his skills. He’s massive in there and covers a lot of ground.”

Due to Woll’s injury, Dennis Hildeby was recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis. Hildeby, 23, was a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft and has yet to make his debut in the National Hockey League.

Berube mentioned that Woll could still potentially start in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ next game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, but Hildeby’s presence with the team will be maintained as a precautionary measure. Woll recently secured a three-year, $10.98 million contract with an AAV of $3.66 million, which will commence next season. Last season, he posted a 12-11-1 record with a 2.94 GAA and a .907 save percentage while missing significant time due to a high ankle sprain.

The Maple Leafs will be monitoring Woll closely and making lineup decisions in consideration of his health as they continue their season.