Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll is taking a leave of absence from the team to attend to a \u201cpersonal family matter,\u201d the organization announced Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
General manager Brad Treliving said there was no timeline on Woll\u2019s return, including whether the 27-year-old would be back with the team for the start of the regular season next month.<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly our expectation is Joe is gonna be back with us and we\u2019ll see when that is,\u201d Treliving said. \u201cIt\u2019s early days. All our worry is just supporting and looking forward to getting him back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Treliving said the absence was not related to a substance abuse issue and reiterated it\u2019s \u201ca personal family matter right now that Joe is going to deal with and we\u2019ll go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
What it means for Leafs\u2019 goalie depth<\/p>\n
The Leafs provided no further details and asked for privacy on the matter.<\/p>\n
If Woll is unavailable to begin the season, Dennis Hildeby figures to step into the No. 2 role behind Anthony Stolarz.<\/p>\n
Hildeby signed a three-year contract with the Leafs this past offseason. He has appeared in only six NHL games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we just gotta wait and see right now,\u201d Treliving said of the team\u2019s goaltending depth. \u201cI\u2019m comfortable with the goalies that we have. We\u2019ll see. Our expectation is that Joe\u2019s gonna be back with us. But we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
The uncertainty regarding Woll\u2019s return makes any projection difficult.<\/p>\n
However, if the Leafs were forced to be without Woll for any period during the regular season, especially an extended one, the crease would be in for a major test.<\/p>\n
Absent Woll, the Leafs would be compelled to lean on Stolarz more than they might like or otherwise vault an unproven and perhaps unready Hildeby into more NHL action than he\u2019s played to this point.<\/p>\n
Stolarz performed very well last season, his first with the Leafs, but did so in only 33 starts, which marked a career high. Injuries have been an issue throughout his NHL career, including last season when he missed an extended period due to a knee injury.<\/p>\n
Stolarz also suffered a concussion in the playoffs.<\/p>\n
Woll stepped into the starting role in Stolarz\u2019s place both times, providing the Leafs continued stability in goal.<\/p>\n
The crease was arguably the strongest element of the team last season and an assumed point of strength heading into the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n