Joseph Woll took part in formal team practice Monday for the first time since his monthlong personal leave, marking a significant step in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goalie situation.
The 27-year-old netminder had been away from the club since late September. He was officially placed on long-term injured reserve last week, retroactive to his personal leave of absence beginning on Sept. 23.
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While Woll is technically eligible to return to NHL play as of Saturday, general manager Brad Treliving cautioned on Monday morning that the timeline is far from certain.
“Woll won’t be ready to play once his stint on long-term injured reserve is over, general manager Brad Treliving told reporters,” according to Sportsnet.
“It’s great to have him back,” Treliving said, per Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. “The plan is just to get him up and going. He skated some when he was on his leave, but this is just getting back in the team setting. The plan is really to watch and adjust on a daily basis.”
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Woll also skated with the team in a less formal capacity on Saturday. Monday’s appearance was his first full practice with the group in over a month.
The goalie last played in Game 7 of Toronto’s second-round playoff loss to the Florida Panthers and has not appeared in any games this season.
In 2024–25, Woll was the Maple Leafs’ most reliable starter, finishing with a 27–14–1 record and worse numbers (a .909 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average) than Anthony Stolarz (.926, 2.14), but topping him in games played with 42 regular-season appearances to Stolarz’s 34.
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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) looks down at a puck.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Despite skating on his own during his absence, Woll is expected to need conditioning time with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies before rejoining the Leafs’ lineup.
Toronto reassigned Dennis Hildeby on Sunday following an emergency recall to back up Cayden Primeau during Saturday’s overtime win over Buffalo. Stolarz and Primeau have handled net duties during Woll’s absence.
The Maple Leafs return to action Tuesday at home against the Calgary Flames. For now, no date has been set for Woll’s return to game action.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.