Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Shuffling on the blueline, Woll signed; Leafs vs. Panthers

March 25, 2019, 12:07 PM ET [803 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to get their own house in order with two weeks to go before their playoff meeting with the Boston Bruins, as they take on the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.

The Leafs blueline has been the focal point of concern since the trade deadline with the injuries to Travis Dermott, Jake Gardiner and minor leaguer Calle Rosen, but the trio’s health is improving to the point that they all could see action before the final regular season game in Montreal on April 7.

Dermott took the optional morning skate on Monday without a non-contact jersey, which could mean that the 22-year-old may be ready to play in Philadelphia on Wednesday or Ottawa on Saturday.




Rosen had an assist and five shots on goal for the Toronto Marlies in a 5-4 overtime loss to Rochester on Sunday. It was the blueliner’s first AHL game in over a month and head coach Mike Babcock indicated that the Leafs plan to call the 25-year-old up after the Marlies play in Utica on Friday.

Gardiner took to the ice for the second time since his back injury in late February. Babcock indicated that the defenseman felt better after his first workout late last week, but did not indicate any firm timetable for his return.

While the appearance of Gardiner on the ice is encouraging, the Leafs have to be considering Rosen their best Plan B option if the pending unrestricted free agent cannot get back before the first round.

Rosen leads the Marlies blueliners in scoring with 45 points (7 goals, 38 assists) in 53 games, is an excellent skaters and can play both the left and right side, while neither Marincin, Ozhiganov or Holl have been able to rise to Babcock’s challenge of grabbing a potential vacant spot.

Martin Marincin has recovered from the flu and will replace Igor Ozhiganov in the lineup against the Panthers on the bottom pairing alongside Justin Holl and Frederik Andersen will make his 56th start for Toronto.

*******

The Leafs continued to lock up their prospects over the weekend, signing goaltender Joseph Woll to a three-year entry-level deal. The 20-year-old was selected in the third round (62nd overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft, played in two World Junior Championships for Team USA (winning a gold medal in 2017) and three seasons as the starter at Boston College, posting a 2.41 GAA and .919 save percentage in 37 games.

The Eagles were eliminated by Northeastern on the weekend and Woll chose to turn pro rather than return to college for his senior season. The three-year deal for $800,000(NHL)/$70,000(AHL) AAV begins this season, which allows him to become a restricted free agent in two years.

It is unknown whether Woll will see any action with the Marlies before the end of the season, with both Michael Hutchinson and Kasimir Kaskisuo healthy, but the Leafs organizationally are fully stocked with Woll and Ian Scott in the pipeline.

Toronto may have another college product signing in the near future in 2014 draftee Dakota Joshua, but Ohio State received an at-large bid for the upcoming NCAA Tournament and the senior’s college career will not be over until the completion of the Buckeyes season.

*******






*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Join the Discussion: » 803 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Matthews Game-Time Decision; 2023 Draftees Update; Leafs vs. Capitals
» Leafs Frustrated And Immature In Loss To Devils
» Practicing Load Management Down The Stretch; Leafs vs. Devils
» Woll Wonderful In Loss To Canes; Keefe Downplaying Samsonov Injury
» Podcast Sunday – Off The Post Radio