Maple Leafs Confirm Unfortunate News on Joseph Woll; Stolarz to Start in Season Opener

On Tuesday, following Maple Leafs' practice, head coach Craig Berube was thought to be toying with the media when he suggested that he hadn't selected his starting goaltender for the season opener in Montreal on Wednesday evening. However, the latest update was not what anyone in Toronto was hoping for -- an early season injury for Joseph Woll.

Berube confirmed on Wednesday morning that Woll is dealing with a lower-body ailment and will not be in the lineup to open the season. Instead, Stolarz draws the start with rookie Dennis Hildeby playing the role of backup goalie tonight. The official update was tweeted out by TSN's Mark Masters this morning.

Woll's health has certainly been a focal point during his young career. When healthy, Woll is widely considered as one of the best young netminders out there. However, the constant injury issues have really gotten in the way of the former 3rd round pick finding any sustained success as a starting goalie.

Perhaps one of the most surprising things about this whole ordeal is the fact that the Leafs have opted to call up rookie goaltender Dennis Hildeby rather than veteran netminder and two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray, who has a lot of experience under his belt.

Hildeby had put together a very strong training camp this fall and appears to be nearly ready for NHL action, though there's no guarantee that he'll get his first NHL start during this call-up. The Leafs have a back-to-back to kick off their season, with Montreal on the docket tonight and a tilt with the New Jersey Devils slated to occur tomorrow evening.

Will the Leafs run Stolarz back-to-back? Will Hildeby get his first career NHL start tomorrow night? Will Joseph Woll's lower body tightness clear up, allowing him to start tomorrow against the Devils? Will the Leafs opt to return Hildeby to the Marlies and recall Murray for tomorrow's clash in New Jersey? These are all valid questions, and unfortunately, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, we'll have to wait until tomorrow for the answers.