Held out of the lineup since suffering an injury against the Ottawa Senators in early December, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll has slowly been making his way back from a high-ankle sprain. He has been skating by himself for the past couple of weeks with the Leafs, using an abundance of caution with regard to the drills and movements he has been working through.
On Tuesday, TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported that the Leafs were expecting Woll to return shortly after the All-Star break, as they have just two games before their bye week and All-Star break. Today, ahead of their game against the Winnipeg Jets, the Leafs took to the ice for their optional morning skate and joining them for the first time was Woll.
This is great news for the Leafs and for Woll, who was expected to be out at least six weeks. Following their morning skate on Wednesday, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe provided a further update on Woll, saying that the hope is for Woll to join the team for practice following the All-Star break, just as Johnston had reported, but cautioned that his return to the lineup isn't imminent.
Prior to his injury, Woll was performing amicably in his first full NHL season with the Leafs, posting an 8-5-1 record with a 2.80 GAA and .916 save percentage.
