The Maple Leafs have a massive decision to make

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Tom Banks
October 22, 2023 (7:44 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have arguably the league's best forward group, and with talent littered throughout the team, they have high expectations in 2023-24, but to reach those heights, they have one big question to answer.

Who is the starter in net for this team going forward? This was a question that was recently broken down on the latest Leafs Digest Youtube video.

The 25-year old appears ready

In their recent win over Tampa Bay, young Joseph Woll came into the game cold, stopping all 29 shots he faced, and for many, this was the defining moment that cements him as the starter going forward.

Joseph Woll comes in off the bench ice cold and does not give up a single goal, going 29 for 29 in saves, and what a game for Joseph Woll. And coming into this game, there were even question marks before Samsonov gave up those three goals in four attempts about who is going to be the Leaf starter going forward, and a lot of Leafs fans were up in arms, saying, "Why is Joseph Woll not already starting for this team?"

In 13 games at the NHL level, Woll now has a .928 save percentage along with a 2.28 GAA, and with Ilya Samsonov not stamping his mark on this team, it may be time for Sheldon Keefe to make the move.

A talented tandem

While Samsonov hasn't been great, he's still young as well, and if the Leafs can keep them both around this season, it will give them plenty of options later in the season, but right now, the choice is clear.

A lot of Leafs fans on Twitter were going absolutely crazy, saying, "Why isn't Joseph Woll starting, and why is Sheldon Keefe keep putting out Ilya Samsonov?" And this was before yesterday's game that Ilya Samsonov almost lost the Leafs. That game had a couple of defensive collapses that Samsonov couldn't really do anything about, but three goals that early in the game.

Luckily, Joseph Woll came and saved the day, and ultimately, the Leafs got a huge win against the Lightning and a pretty thrilling game for a Saturday night. But looking at what Joseph Woll has done in his NHL career this year, he's been phenomenal. Following yesterday's game, a 1.69 GAA last season and a .916 save percentage, he's always been a very, very solid goalie.

Ultimately, if the defensive unit in front of the net plays better, either Leafs goaltender should be able to achieve success, but until that happens, it appears Woll is best set up to be the star that can help them overcome these issues.