Maple Leafs starting goalie: Toronto dealt huge injury blow ahead of season opener against Canadiens

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Oct 09, 2024 16:46 GMT

Joseph Woll will not be in goal tonight for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their NHL season opener. The star goalie was expected to be the workhorse in goal this year for the team, but he is being held out of tonight's first contest because of a lower-body issue.

In his place, Anthony Stolarz will get the nod. The goalie started 24 games last season for the Florida Panthers and has started 43 games over four years. He had a 2.69 Goals Against Average and led the league in that metric with 2.03 last year.

Craig Berube, the Toronto head coach, did not rule Woll out for tomorrow's contest with the New Jersey Devils. He is considered day-to-day, but he will not appear in tonight's contest with the Montreal Canadiens.

Denis Hildeby, who has not yet played an NHL game at all, will join the team to provide some depth in the wake of the Woll injury.

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Maple Leafs leadership discusses Joseph Woll's injury

Craig Berube and GM Brad Treliving committed to Joesph Woll for the season, but he's not going to be available for the first game. He's being held out of tonight's contest due to a lower-body injury.

Joseph Woll will not start today for the Maple Leafs (Credits: IMAGN)

Berube revealed the nature of his injury via the Athletic:

“Woll experienced some lower-body tightness (on Tuesday). It’s precautionary, so we’re gonna keep him out tonight.”

Treliving also discussed the injury, saying that it's something that can happen to anyone:

“Guys can get hurt. We hopefully spent lots of time working at it, but that doesn’t mean – sometimes luck runs in the way. I know he’s worked really hard, like he’s had a really good summer, he’s really fit. We’re hopeful he can stay healthy … stuff happens.”

Woll also only appeared in one and a half games during the preseason for the Maple Leafs, so he has not been on the ice very much this year.