When the topic of the Toronto Maple Leafs moving a goaltender comes up, the conversation usually starts - and sometimes ends - with Anthony Stolarz. That makes sense.
He’s been sidelined with injury, and out of the spotlight, while Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have been front and center. Add in the fact that Woll and Hildeby are younger, and it’s easy to see why Stolarz feels like the odd man out.
But that hasn’t stopped some from suggesting the Leafs should be open to moving any of their three netminders - even Woll, who’s widely considered the most valuable and least likely to be dealt.
TSN’s Bryan Hayes recently weighed in on the situation, and he didn’t shy away from the idea that Woll could be on the table - depending on the return.
“I would put him on the table, possibly too,” Hayes said. “It would depend on what the best package is you’re getting back.
I think Woll is just a good goalie, and that’s what he’s going to be. A good goalie that starts maybe 40 games, and is going to have some ups and downs - and that’s what he is.
He’s a good goalie in the league. But I don’t see superstardom in his future.”
That’s a fair - and honest - assessment. Woll has been solid this season, posting a 13-7-4 record with a 2.92 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and two shutouts in 24 starts.
It’s not Vezina-level stuff, but it’s more than serviceable, especially considering the Leafs’ inconsistencies in front of him. And let’s not forget: he’s only in year one of a three-year, $11 million extension signed in 2024.
That’s a manageable deal for a goalie who’s shown he can handle a starter’s workload when healthy.
But that last part - when healthy - is key. Injuries have been a recurring theme in Woll’s young career, and they remain a concern.
Still, when he’s in the crease, he’s been Toronto’s most reliable option. That’s why, if GM Brad Treliving were to even consider moving him, the return would need to be significant.
We’re talking about a true impact player - someone who can move the needle for a team that still expects to contend.
At the same time, Woll’s value on the trade market is probably the highest of the Leafs’ three goaltenders. He’s young, he’s under contract, and he’s proven he can play at the NHL level. That combination could be tempting for Treliving if the right deal comes along - especially if it helps address another pressing need on the roster.
But let’s not pretend this would be a simple decision. Rolling forward with a tandem of Stolarz and Hildeby would be a gamble, plain and simple.
Neither has started more than 35 games in a season, and both come with their own durability questions. It’s a risky proposition for a team that isn’t looking to rebuild, but rather retool and stay in the fight heading into 2026-27.
So yes, trading Woll could bring back a big piece. But it would also leave a big hole - and one that might be tough to fill internally. For a team trying to tighten things up and make another run, keeping Woll in the fold might not just be the safest move - it might be the smartest one.