Maple Leafs set to adjust with key player out indefinitely

The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost a key player during their camp before the start of the 2025-26 season.

Toronto announced that goaltender Joseph Woll has taken an indefinite absence for personal reasons. The Leafs did not confirm how long he will be out, but stated his absence is not related to a substance abuse issue.

"Certainly our expectation is Joe is gonna be back with us and we’ll see when that is," GM Brad Treliving said to The Athletic. "It’s early days. All our worry is just supporting and looking forward to getting him back."

Woll, 27, had a great 2024-25 season, playing 42 games with a record of 27-14-1, a goals against average of 2.73, and a save percentage of .909. The native of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, was key in the playoffs after Anthony Stolarz was injured.

Maple Leafs must leverage roster depth and accelerate contract talks with Anthony Stolarz

Assuming Woll is unavailable for the start of the season, Dennis Hildeby should be Stolarz's backup for the game against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 8. With this loss, Toronto loses stability in goal. It will try to correct this in its upcoming preseason games, where involving Hildeby to get the necessary rhythm will be key.

It is a premature challenge for the Leafs, but also an opportunity for coach Craig Berube to use the squad's depth and for the front office to accelerate contract negotiations with Stolarz.

On Monday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said talks between the goalie and the team are progressing positively. 

"I think Stolarz and the Leafs are going back-and-forth and back-and-forth," Friedman explained on the latest episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast. "When they started, there was a pretty wide chasm there, and I do believe it’s narrowed a bit."