GOOD NEWS: $4 million A Year! Craig Berube Reveals Maple Leafs Have Offered Another Huge Contract To Impressive Player

Kevin Weekes has revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the verge of finalizing a three-year contract extension for goaltender Joseph Woll, set to commence in the 2025-26 season. The deal is anticipated to be valued between $3.5 million and $4 million annually. Woll, aged 25, comes off a strong 2023-24 campaign with the Maple Leafs, boasting a record of 12 wins, 11 losses, and 1 overtime loss. His performance metrics include a 2.94 goals against average (GAA) and a save percentage (SV%) of .907, along with 7.2 goals saved above expected (GSAx), as reported by Moneypuck.

Last season, goaltending emerged as a key concern for the Leafs, with Woll, Martin Jones, and Ilya Samsonov each taking turns as the team’s starting goalie. Woll notably excelled during the playoffs, posting impressive stats with a 0.86 GAA and a .964 SV%, contributing 4.3 GSAx. Unfortunately, injuries sidelined him for most of the team’s first-round series against the Boston Bruins.

Heading into the upcoming season, uncertainty surrounds the Leafs’ goaltending tandem, particularly with Samsonov and Jones slated to enter free agency. The possibility of promoting 22-year-old Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Marlies exists; Hildeby accumulated a 21-11-7 record with a 2.41 GAA and .913 SV% last season.

Despite options like Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper being unavailable in the trade market, the Leafs are exploring free agency for viable solutions. Potential candidates include Anthony Stolarz and Laurent Brossoit, known for their reliability, or alternatively, goaltenders like Casey DeSmith, Pheonix Copley, or Kevin Lankinen, who offer consistency.

 

As the NHL Draft approaches and free agency looms shortly after, Toronto remains a fixture in the hockey news cycle. Following a disappointing season conclusion, significant changes are anticipated for the Leafs’ goaltending roster.

In summary, the impending contract extension for Joseph Woll underscores Toronto’s commitment to solidifying its goaltending core amidst offseason uncertainties and strategic roster adjustments.