The Toronto Maple Leafs have been lucky to have goaltender Martin Jones stabilize their crease for the past month with Ilya Samsonov's struggles and the injury to Joseph Woll. There's still some runway ahead, but for the most part, Jones has really performed well above expectation.
Woll, who has been out since suffering a high-ankle sprain against the Ottawa Senators on December 7th, has been seen around the Leafs' practice facility a few times, but had yet to resume any sort of skating. Today, however, the Leafs got some very positive news as Woll returned to the ice prior to the team's morning skate with goaltending coach Curtis Sanford.
Woll was in full gear on Tuesday and was taking shots from Sanford, but they were both very careful with his movement according to The Hockey News' David Alter. Considering it has been a month since the injury, and that defenseman Timothy Liljegren suffered the same injury earlier in the season, Woll appears to be along a similar recovery timeline.
Liljegren returned to the lineup after six weeks so it wouldn't come as a surprise if Woll began to take part in practices at some point beginning next week. The Leafs may opt to play this cautious and could give Woll more time to recover as long as Jones continues to play the way he has. Given the position difference, it would make sense to expect Woll to remain sidelined longer than Liljegren did to ensure there is a minimal risk of aggravating the injury again.
In 15 games for the Leafs this season, the 25-year-old has posted an 8-5-1 record to go along with a 2.80 GAA and .916 save percentage. In his first full NHL season, Woll quickly became a fan favourite in Toronto, taking over starting duties from Samsonov and, at the time of his injury, was having the game of his career. Hopefully we will see Woll back in action sooner than later.
