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"Just play ... Buddy, just play!": Leafs analyst Nick Kypreos blasts Joseph Woll's lack of commitment as new No. 1 goalie
The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off their 2024-25 season on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens but were without their projected starting goaltender Joseph Woll.
Woll was slated to make his first NHL season opener start but was scratched from the lineup due to lower body injury. That comes after Woll was unable to play in the Leafs' pivotal Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins last postseason, a decision that shocked his team at the time.
Leafs analyst Nick Kypreos blasted Woll on the Kyper & Bourne radio show, saying the entire situation “absolutely stinks.” Kypreos didn't hold back:
“If I had one limb hanging on a string, after what I put the team through in that Game 7, I'm playing (opening night). You wake up and tell the trainer, 'I'm feeling a little stiff'? Well, guess what? Too bad! Just play ... Buddy, just play!"
Kypreos questioned Woll's commitment level, especially after the team signed him to a three-year, $3.67 million contract extension over the summer.
Being the projected new No. 1 goalie, Woll needs to battle through the tightness and suit up for the opener to earn the trust of teammates, Kypreos said. The latest injury comes on the heels of Woll missing more than two months last season from a high ankle sprain.
In Woll's absence, Anthony Stolarz made his Leafs debut and saved 26 of 27 shots in the 1-0 loss. Woll also missed the next game against New Jersey, which Toronto won 4-2 with backup Dennis Hildeby in net.
Elliotte Friedman weighs in on Joseph Woll's latest injury
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman weighed in on Joseph Woll's injury history and what it means for the Leafs.
"Wisely, Toronto is being super careful with Joseph Woll," Friedman said on his “32 Thoughts” podcast. "He's more than good enough to be a number one, but their biggest risk was his health."
Friedman notes that Woll has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career:
"Bob Gainey had a line: 'The problem with injury-prone players is that they tend to get injured.' That's what he must avoid."
With Woll out, Friedman wonders if highly touted prospect Dennis Hildeby will get a chance in net.
"Several observers said last season he was AHL Toronto's best prospect," Friedman added.
The Leafs are committed to Woll as their goalie of the future, but his troubling injury history raises concerns. The Leafs next face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
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