Maple Leafs lock up Joseph Woll, goalie of future, on 3-year deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be making plenty of moves next week at the start of the new league year. Toronto is expected to add several players, including a pair of top defensemen. According to recent reports, they won’t have to worry about finding a starting goalie for quite a while.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Maple Leafs are closing in on a three-year contract extension for goalie Joseph Woll. The extension is expected to be in the neighborhood of $3.5-4 million on an average annual basis.
This is great news for both parties. Woll is entering the final year of his current contract that pays him $766,667 per season — a massive value for the Leafs who view Woll as their future starting goalie.
Woll proved his worth to the Leafs in the playoffs. He stepped in to relieve Ilya Samsonov in Game 4 against the Boston Bruins. Woll never gave up the job and helped Toronto go on a winning streak that forced a Game 7 in the series.
Unfortunately, Woll has also suffered from multiple injuries throughout his NHL career. That happened again when Woll was not able to suit up in Game 7 against the Bruins.
We can assume that Toronto is not too concerned about Woll’s injury history based on their reported commitment to him.
Woll posted a 0.964 save percentage in his three playoff appearances this year.
Woll is currently the only goalie under contract for the Maple Leafs. They will need to find a pair of new goaltenders to work with Woll moving forward.
Maple Leafs offseason preview: who will Toronto add to the team this offseason?
© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto still has a bad taste in its mouth after its crushing Game 7 overtime loss against the Boston Bruins. They are more committed than ever to add talent and get over the hump in the playoffs.
But who will they be targeting this offseason, and what kind of resources do they have to work with?
According to CapFriendly.com, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a projected cap space of $18.83 million. That should be plenty of cap space to fill some needs in free agency. Toronto also has the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft.
Toronto’s biggest need is at defenseman. The Maple Leafs could realistically sign three or four defensemen in free agency. They may look to targets guys like Sean Walker, Alexandre Carrier, Brandon Montour, or Joel Edmunson in free agency. Toronto is in the tough position of needing to find multiple players, so they have to play the volume game instead of going after the best/most expensive players.
The Leafs also need to add some second- and third-line forwards. They are expected to targets free agents like Max Domi, Chandler Stephenson, and Anthony Duclair.
As for their first-round pick, Toronto will almost certainly pick an offensive player.
Naturally their choice will depend on who falls down the draft board to 23rd. Some players to watch include forward Andrew Basha, center Jett Luchanko, and forward Liam Greentree.
If Toronto makes smart decision in free agency and the draft, they will be well positioned to make another push for a Stanley Cup next year.
The post Maple Leafs lock up Joseph Woll, goalie of future, on 3-year deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.
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