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Joseph Woll and Maple Leafs in talks for contract extension
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    Joseph Woll and Maple Leafs in talks for contract extension

    The Toronto Maple Leafs and goaltender Joseph Woll are discussing a contract extension, Sportsnet can confirm.

    ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports that the Leafs and Woll were closing in on a three-year contract extension with an average cap hit between $3.5 to $4 million.

    Woll is entering the final year of his contract that carries a $766,667 cap hit and is eligible to sign an extension on July 1.

    The 25-year-old appeared in 25 games this past season, posting a 12-11-1 record with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

    Woll took over the net in the Leafs’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins with the team facing elimination and helped them force a Game 7 after posting a .086 goals-against average and .964 save percentage in three games, including two starts. Unfortunately, an injury at the end of Game 6 forced him to miss Game 7, which Toronto lost with Ilya Samsonov in net.

    GM Brad Treliving confirmed that Woll suffered a SI joint sprain in his back, which was one of the two injuries he suffered this past season as the goaltender missed significant time with an ankle injury.

    The Leafs general manager expressed his trust in Woll’s ability in net but when it comes to giving him the starter’s job going forward, the team needs to find a way to keep him healthy.

    “I’ve got faith in Joe,” Treliving stated. “The biggest question with Joe is he’s gotten injured a lot. We have to dig into that.” 

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    The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently in talks with goaltender Joseph Woll regarding a potential contract extension. Woll, who was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, has been a promising prospect for the team since turning pro.

    The 23-year-old netminder has spent the majority of his time in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, where he has shown flashes of his potential as a future NHL starter. In the 2020-2021 season, Woll posted a 3.24 goals against average and a .885 save percentage in 32 games with the Marlies.

    With the uncertainty surrounding the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation heading into next season, locking up Woll to a contract extension could provide some stability in the crease for the team. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, leaving a potential opening for Woll to compete for a spot on the NHL roster.

    Woll’s development has been closely monitored by the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff, who have been impressed with his work ethic and dedication to improving his game. The organization sees him as a key piece of their future plans and are eager to secure his services for the long term.

    While the details of the contract extension are still being negotiated, both sides are optimistic that a deal will be reached in the near future. Maple Leafs fans can look forward to seeing Woll potentially make the jump to the NHL and compete for a spot on the roster next season. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as negotiations progress.