Leaf notes: Joseph Woll ready for next round of his NHL career

Joseph Woll already feels like a winner in his latest promotion to the Maple Leafs.

Brought up as insurance when Matt Murray hurt his ankle, he arrived with the confidence of a goalie who was battle tested in four games last season and on a roll of 12-1-0 with this year’s Marlies after overcoming two significant injuries. He was also thrilled to have a front row seat to watch the NHL’s third highest career scorer, Alex Ovechkin, on Sunday night, ahead of backing up Ilya Samsonov again Wednesday when Boston is in town.

“That was pretty cool to see him play,” Woll said of Ovechkin in the 5-1 Toronto win. “And now the Bruins (he went to Boston College three years after the Leafs picked him in the third round of 2016).”

It’s likely Woll is sent back after Wednesday as Leafs scatter for the NHL all-star break. But if Murray is still rehabbing next week, look for Woll to be summoned again and for one of the back-to-backs against Columbus.

In November of 2021, Missouri native Woll beat the Islanders, Sharks and Sabres, before losing to the Jets, part of the crease carousel resulting from injuries to Jack Campbell and Peter Mrazek. In the end, he couldn’t stay healthy himself as a shoulder problem was complicated by an ankle mishap during recovery.

But Woll was almost unbeatable in his latest farm stint with a .928 save percentage.

“I obviously had a lot of time to prepare for this season — a little more than I wanted. So, when it was time to come back, I was ready. The biggest thing for me is keeping a steady mindset, regardless of the ups and downs of the season.

“I’ve been here before, I understand how it works day-to-day and being familiar with the group is very helpful.”

WILLY NOT IGNORED
The stars lined up for William Nylander after all.

Overlooked for the Atlantic Division all-stars in favour of Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews and again when Matthews was hurt and unable to go to South Florida, Nylander was named second star of the week by the league on Monday.

He had four goals and three assists as the Leafs won three of four games, including two goals and two assists in a 5-2 win over the Islanders. He reached 400 career points two nights later versus the Rangers. Claude Giroux of the Senators and Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy were the first and third stars, respectively.

Nylander acknowledged the support he has received from teammates and fans to get in the all-star game.

“Very nice to see they’ve got your back,” he said. “I’m trying to be (elite) and that’s where my game can be at.”

Countryman Rasmus Sandin said Nylander shouldn’t sweat the snub.

“This is only the beginning for him. I think he’ll get his (all-star) recognition. I don’t think it bothers him.”

THE OLD SHOCK TREATMENT
In an age of in-game arena promotion where drones and mini airships drop t-shirts and prizes, Hockey Hall of Fame historian has come across an interesting contest from the game program of the 1930-31 Leafs at Mutual Street Arena.

Proctor’s ‘Shock Proof’ watches enlisted captain Hap Day and broadcaster Foster Hewitt to throw timepieces in the air onto the hard ice — Hewitt from his high press box location — where their durability would be confirmed and given to a fan whose program number matched one on the back of the watch.

Secondary prizes that night included a Dentyne/Chiclets pen and pencil set and a tin of 100 Buckingham cigarettes.

LOOSE LEAFS
Head coach Sheldon Keefe had his players work mostly with skills coaches on Monday or be in the gym, with practice ramping up Tuesday for the Boston game … The late Bobby Hull had 49 of his goals at Maple Leaf Gardens, sixth among all Original Six players, while his 80 points tied him for third in building history with Alex Delvecchio, behind Gordie Howe (126) and Johnny Bucyk (87) … Morgan Rielly said breaking his season long goal drought on Sunday could be credited to the “good karma” of skating with Easter Seals kids the day before.