NHL News: Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs goalie takes unexpected personal leave ahead of preseason clash

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday morning that goaltender Joseph Woll, teammate of Auston Matthews, is taking a personal leave of absence to attend to a family matter. The team emphasized that no further details will be disclosed and asked the public to respect Woll’s privacy.

The announcement comes just hours before the Leafs’ second preseason matchup against the Ottawa Senators. Woll, 27, is entering the first year of a three-year, $11 million contract signed in July 2024, and was expected to split starts with Anthony Stolarz this season.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that goaltender Joseph Woll has taken a leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter. No additional details will be provided at this time, and we ask that his privacy be respected,” the team stated.

How the Leafs are responding to the absence

General Manager Brad Treliving addressed the media at the Ford Performance Centre, providing reassurance on the situation: “Certainly our expectation is that Joe’s going to be back with us. And we’ll see when that is.”

In the interim, the Leafs are expected to rely on Anthony Stolarz and prospect Dennis Hildeby as training camp continues and the regular season approaches. The team remains focused on preparing for the upcoming slate of preseason games while supporting their goaltender through his personal matters.

see also

NHL News: Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs reportedly at a disadvantage in contract talks with Stanley Cup champion

Looking ahead

Toronto will face the Senators later today, Tuesday, in their next preseason contest, with coaching staff adjusting rotations to compensate for the temporary absence. While questions remain about the exact duration of the leave, management stressed that the team’s primary focus is both the player’s well-being and maintaining competitive readiness for the NHL season ahead.