John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs Make Roster Move Amid Anthony Stolarz's Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 15, 2025 10:15 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced four roster moves ahead of Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Most importantly, goaltender Joseph Woll was activated to the NHL roster, while forward Easton Cowan was recalled from the Toronto Marlies amid injuries to starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz and captain Auston Matthews.

Fellow goalie Artur Akhtyamov was reassigned to the AHL, and Matthews was officially placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Tuesday. Matthews' earliest return date is Thursday, as he must spend at least a week on IR.

Woll’s activation marks his first opportunity to return to the Leafs crease since a Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinal on May 18. The netminder left the team in September to deal with a family matter, then returned on Oct. 24 and completed a two-game conditioning stint with the AHL's Marlies.

Maple Leafs G Artur Akhtyamov has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies.

F Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 11, 2025.

F Easton Cowan has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

G Joseph Woll has been activated to the roster.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 14, 2025

“I feel great. I’m ready to go,” Woll said Friday. “Those [pace and reads] are both where they need to be. I have a good mindset and I’m ready to go.”

With Stolarz sidelined due to an upper-body injury, and backup Dennis Hildeby appearing in four straight games, losing them all, Woll’s return has come at a time when the Leafs’ goaltending depth has been stretched, to say the least.

Head coach Craig Berube said he hadn’t made a final decision on the starter for Saturday's matchup, but acknowledged he was “thinking about it.”

"I'm not sure yet," Berube said about starting Woll on Saturday, "But thinking about it, definitely."

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) looks down at a puck.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Woll, same as Berube, didn’t confirm whether he would start against Chicago but sounded confident about being thrown into the mix.

“I’ve realized the importance of consistency,” Woll said. “I’m just going to come out and do my best.”

The Leafs enter Saturday tied for last in the NHL in goals against (69) and have the seventh-worst save percentage (.877) leaguewide. Woll posted a .909 SV% last season over 41 starts but hasn’t seen NHL action this year due to his early-season leave of absence.

The Maple Leafs are 8–8–2 and will face the Blackhawks at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at United Center.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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