Leaf goaltender named one of best value contracts for upcoming season

After being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 draft by the Leafs, Joseph Woll has had a lot of ups and downs in his career so far. Woll has missed some significant time with injuries during his time with the Leafs organization, most recently missing the end of the 2021-2022 season and start of last season following shoulder surgery while with the Marlies. Prior to his shoulder injury, Woll had a brief stint with the Leafs going 3-1-0 with a .911 save percentage which enticed the Leafs to sign him to a 3-year extension that sees him earn $775K per season and comes with a cap hit of less than league minimum (due to when his deal was signed) of $766K.

When Woll returned to action last November, he shined with the Marlies, going 16-4-1, including winning his first twelve games and 16 of his first 17 games before joining the Leafs for a 7-game stint. In his 7 games with the Leafs last season, he went 6-1-0 with a ridiculous .932 save percentage and while we cannot expect him to consistently put up those numbers, he has shown enough promise and development that the Leafs appear to trust him with the backup role this upcoming season.

With Woll backing up Samsonov for next season, he was listed on The Athletic's list of best value goalie contracts, just outside the top-5, earning an honourable mention. The Leafs will be hoping that Woll will be able to do what he has done in his two previous stints with the team and provide them with reliable, stable goaltending when Samsonov needs a night off or if he happens to battle injury. The Leafs did sign Martin Jones this week as an insurance policy, but he will most likely begin the season with the Toronto Marlies, if he clears waivers.

With Matt Murray on LTIR, the tandem of Woll and Samsonov will earn a combined $4.4M - less than Murray's $4.687M alone. If Woll can stay healthy and perform as he has in his previous stints with the Leafs, the team may be more cautious when it comes to an extension for Samsonov, who is a UFA at the end of the season. This very well could be Woll's net in 2024-25 if he can take yet another step this season.