It speaks a great deal about the state聽鈥 and the importance聽鈥 of goaltending that the Maple Leafs have stalls for five goalies at the Ford Performance Centre in Etobicoke, and a spare room for two more university-level practice goalies.
鈥淚t’s goalie camp,鈥 deadpanned Joseph Woll, one of three injured goalies trying to make his way back. Woll suffered a high-ankle sprain on Dec. 7 in the third period in Ottawa.
鈥淚 was in awkward position there and I ended up having to lean over and lean into an awkward position, and my ankle just decided it didn’t want to,鈥 Woll said. 鈥淭hat’s really all I can remember from it.鈥
The rookie was just coming into his own as a bona fide NHL goalie, grabbing the net from a struggling Ilya Samsonov. His .916 save percentage leads the Leafs and is in the top 10 of NHL goalies who have played at least 15 games this season.
He has been a full participant in practice twice this week, and says it’s a matter of getting as close to game shape as possible.
鈥淭he past week or two, I felt really good,鈥 he said. 鈥淚’ve been making big steps each day. At this point in time, that’s all I can ask for.鈥
Woll has been injured in each season of his pro career, and the upside of that is he has plenty of experience in returning from injuries.
鈥淚t’s an unfortunate thing to have experience (like that) but it definitely helps having been through this before,鈥 he said. 鈥淓ach one has been a bit different, the timing in the season or coming off a bit different circumstance. So each one is unique.
鈥淚 at least know myself better. And know how to process the emotions and the different things that come with it.鈥
As for goalie row: To Woll’s left is Samsonov, who has been carrying the load lately as he tries to rediscover the game that made him so good last year.
To Woll’s right is Matt Murray, now taking part in pre-practice team meetings. He had what was presumed to be season-ending hip surgery on Oct. 9. He expected to miss six to eight months, which in theory leaves open a window in the playoffs, if the Leafs last long enough. His last appearance was as Woll’s backup in Games 4 and 5 of the second round of the playoffs last season.
On the other side of Murray is Dennis Hildeby, the 22-year-old prospect up on emergency recall because veteran Martin Jones, who had a successful run in early January, is now among the ailing, though his actual ailment is undisclosed. Jones sits away from the other four, by the entrance, where there’s more room.
鈥淭here’s a lot happening in the goaltending position,鈥 said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe.
Beyond simple health, there is roster-spot availability, salary-cap implications and waivers to consider if and when all goalies return to health.
Samsonov’s return to form has given the Leafs some breathing room, but they’re hoping Woll can return sooner rather than later.
鈥淭oday was another good practice day for him,鈥 Keefe said. 鈥淲e’ve been taking it a day at a time and communicating with him on how he’s feeling. He continues to feel better each day.
“So in terms of, participating in games, he’s getting to the point where you can have those discussions and start to map it out a little bit.鈥
Depending on how Jones is faring, or how comfortable the team feels playing Hildeby, the spot in the schedule where it makes most sense to play someone other than Samsonov is next week in Las Vegas, the second game of a back-to-back set during a four-game road trip.
The long-term outlook for Woll had been an expected return by the end of February. That may change.
鈥淭he Jones situation also is a factor in terms of how the plan may need to be changed,鈥 said Keefe.
Notes: A flu bug is running through the team, with William Nylander missing Wednesday’s practice along with John Tavares and Mitch Marner 鈥 Suspended defenceman Morgan Rielly practised as a forward with Auston Matthews and Matt Knies.
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