Toronto Maple Leafs Should Consider Trading Joseph Woll Instead of Another Goalie

The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves with a crowded goaltending situation heading into the summer. New general manager John Chayka has several capable options between the pipes, and the team needs to balance its roster with meaningful additions elsewhere. Joseph Woll stands out as the most logical candidate to move in a trade.

Woll’s recent play at the World Championship has drawn attention for the wrong reasons. He was pulled after allowing five goals on just ten shots against Finland. Earlier in the tournament he surrendered three goals on nineteen shots in a loss to Switzerland. While those results cannot be pinned entirely on him, they cap a challenging season.

Woll’s 2025-26 season in focus

Woll appeared in thirty-nine games for the Maple Leafs and finished with a .899 save percentage along with a 3.34 goals-against average. Those numbers fell short of what the organization expected from its young netminder. He also dealt with a personal leave of absence in September for family reasons, which disrupted his rhythm early in the year.

Consistency proved elusive for Woll throughout the campaign. Most goalies experience stretches of uneven play, yet the Leafs must weigh every option when shaping their future roster. His age and contract status make him an attractive piece on the trade market despite the modest numbers.

The goaltender has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy, but injuries have limited his ability to build on those performances. The professional game demands difficult decisions, and moving Woll could deliver the type of return the club needs.

The Leafs’ impressive goaltending depth

The organization currently possesses four netminders who would generate strong interest from other teams. That group includes Woll, veteran Anthony Stolarz, and prospects Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov. Such depth creates a rare opportunity to address other roster gaps through a trade.

• Dennis Hildeby posted a .914 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average across a twenty-game NHL stretch this season.
• Artur Akhtyamov recorded a .904 save percentage and 2.88 goals-against average in thirty-seven AHL appearances with the Toronto Marlies.
• Anthony Stolarz posted an .893 save percentage and 3.28 goals-against average in twenty-six games while battling injuries.

Hildeby’s recent performance suggests he is ready for a larger role. Akhtyamov continues to develop steadily in the minors. This surplus allows management to explore high-end help on defense or the wing.

Why Woll is the preferred trade piece

Stolarz is four years older than the twenty-seven-year-old Woll and carries a more modest trade value after his injury-plagued year. Woll, by contrast, is signed for the next two seasons at an average annual value of 3.66 million dollars and carries no no-trade clause for the upcoming year. Those factors make him easier to move for a substantial return.

The goalie market remains strong for sellers right now. Chayka can capitalize on this environment by packaging Woll for draft picks, prospects, or young NHL-ready players. Ideal targets would include top-four defensemen or skilled wingers who can contribute immediately.

Trading the younger, more cost-controlled goaltender preserves the option to retain Hildeby as the long-term solution behind the incumbent starter. It also avoids the lower return likely to come from moving the older Stolarz.

Looking ahead for the Maple Leafs

The Leafs must make tough choices to build a more balanced roster. Moving Woll would not be a reflection on his character or potential, but rather a necessary step in a competitive business. When healthy, he has proven capable of winning games at the highest level.

Chayka’s first summer as general manager offers a chance to reshape the team’s outlook. Capitalizing on goaltending depth now could strengthen several positions at once and set the club up for sustained contention.