Following a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings and their third loss in a row despite holding leads in each game, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was asked if he had any updates on injured goaltender Joseph Woll.
Woll, who has been out since leaving the third period in a game against the Ottawa Senators on December 7th with an ankle sprain, recently resumed skating. As of early last week, there was no real update in terms of his return timeline, but given the comments by Keefe following last night's loss, he could be closer than expected.
Keefe mentioned that Woll may end up traveling with the team on their four-game road trip out West this week. While he indicated that it is highly unlikely Woll will play, the fact he is joining the team is a very good sign that he is closer than many anticipated he would be at this stage of his recovery.
Leafs defenceman Timothy Liljegren suffered the same injury earlier in the season and returned after 6 weeks and with Woll approaching the five-week mark, he is seemingly on the same track that Liljegren was.
Of course, given the different position and footwork, the Leafs will likely be more cautious with their prized goaltender and not rush him back into the lineup. However, if Martin Jones and the recently returned Ilya Samsonov are unable to string together some wins and get the Leafs out of this slump, they may have no choice but to bring in the former 3rd round pick earlier than they would like.
