TORONTO — Joseph Woll spoke publicly for the first time since stepping away from the Maple Leafs to attend to what the team called a “personal family matter,” and declined to state the reason behind his absence.
“All I’m going to say about my time away is that I’m disappointed to have missed time and I’m very happy to be back,” the Leafs goalie told reporters after practice Friday. “I’d really like all the focus to be on my job to do here. I don’t want to create any distractions for myself or the team.
“There’s enough here to focus on and all I ask is that (the media) respect that,” Woll added of his desire not to speak about the nature of his absence.
The Leafs announced his absence Sept. 23. Woll had missed a Sept. 20 training camp practice with what the Leafs called an “illness.” He returned to the team Oct. 24 and his first practice was Oct. 27. Over the last week, Woll has become a full participant in practices.
“Since I’ve been back, especially, I’ve been really focused on getting back to game shape. And I’ve had the opportunity to hop out and practise a couple of these days here, and I feel like I’m ready to go. And I just want to focus on getting back with the team and getting back playing,” Woll said.
Woll will report to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies for a conditioning stint. He is expected to play against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on the road Saturday night.
The Leafs have back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday before heading to Boston to play the Bruins Tuesday.
“From an on-ice standpoint, I think pace is something that I’ve found that is important to get up, especially if you’re coming off an offseason. So, pace is a big one. And I just think also there’s an eagerness to get back out there. I’ve had enough idle time and sit around and don’t want to be practising too long and stuff like that,” Woll said.
Woll began his remarks by thanking the Leafs organization — namely, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving — and his teammates for their support. He remained close with them throughout his absence. Forward Matthew Knies told The Athletic that Woll texted him to wish him a happy birthday on his Oct. 17 birthday.
“I’ve been blown away by how much support I’ve received,” Woll said.
Those teammates remain proud of Woll for how he handled his absence.
“I’m proud of him for taking care of himself. It’s not always easy,” forward Bobby McMann said. “That’s the biggest thing. He’s always taken care of himself. He’s always so professional in his approach to hockey; I’m glad he’s taking care of the personal side as well.”
Woll’s 2024-25 campaign was undoubtedly his best as a Leaf. As part of a tandem with Anthony Stolarz, Woll put up a .909 save percentage through 42 games. Those 42 games were more than Woll had played through his first three NHL seasons combined. Woll took over for the injured Stolarz in Game 1 of the Leafs’ second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers last season, posting an .886 save percentage in the series.
Woll is in the first year of a three-year contract with an average annual value of $3.66 million.
The Leafs placed Cayden Primeau, Woll’s stand-in early this season, on waivers Friday afternoon. Primeau made three starts this season, winning two but struggling to keep pucks out along the way.
Whether Primeau has played his last game as a Leaf remains to be seen.
Stolarz will start in one of the Leafs’ back-to-back games this weekend. The other start could technically go to Primeau, if he clears waivers Saturday.
However, given Primeau’s struggles, it might be more likely that the team turns to Dennis Hildeby for his first start of the season instead.
— with files from The Athletic‘s Jonas Siegel
