Joseph Woll Is the Obvious Playoff Starter for the Toronto Maple Leafs

In a baffling turn of events on Trade Deadline Day, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving seemed to channel the spirit of Al Bundy, finding himself without a goalie or a functional cell phone. The lack of action from the Leafs’ camp raised eyebrows across the hockey world, prompting questions about their strategy and readiness for the playoffs.

Speculation ran rampant regarding Treliving’s whereabouts and the reasons behind the Leafs’ inactivity. Some suggested he might have mixed up his calendar dates or encountered a mishap with his phone, leaving the team stranded without necessary moves in a buyer’s market ripe with opportunities.

Critics were quick to point out the glaring issues in the Leafs’ goaltending department. Despite ample cap space and assets at their disposal, the team entered the critical playoff push with a questionable trio of netminders: Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll, and Jones. The underwhelming performance of Samsonov, particularly after his stint on waivers, left many fans disillusioned with the millionaire goalie’s redemption narrative.

While some find Samsonov’s resurgence inspiring, others see it as merely a high-paid athlete fulfilling their job description. With a save percentage of .887 over 30 games, doubts lingered about his reliability in crucial playoff matchups. Consequently, the decision to start Woll over Samsonov in key games against Boston underscored the organization’s lack of confidence in their goaltending depth.

Joseph Woll emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the Leafs’ goaltending woes, earning the undisputed title of the team’s number-one goalie. His stellar performances reignited discussions about the team’s readiness for a deep playoff run and the urgency to capitalize on the prime years of star players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Morgan Rielly, and William Nylander.

The Leafs’ reluctance to bolster their roster ahead of the playoffs raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. With Matthews reaching his peak and the supporting cast unlikely to improve significantly, the team’s current standing as the 19th best in 5v5 save percentage and 21st overall seemed unacceptable to many.

As the dust settles on Trade Deadline Day, the Leafs find themselves at a crossroads. With potential impact players available and the glaring need for goaltending reinforcements, the decision to stay idle may come back to haunt them in the postseason. Whether the blame falls on Treliving, Shanahan, or others, the Leafs must address their goaltending issues swiftly to salvage their championship aspirations.