A day after losing the puck in the shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs took to the ice on their practice pad at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence. Not only were all the regulars on the ice, but we saw some new and familiar faces join the team for a full practice.
Joseph Woll
The Leafs recently signed their third-round pick goaltender from 2016, Joseph Woll, to an entry-level contract. He was on the ice with both Frederik Andersen and Garret Sparks, taking part in an introductory practice with the club. There was a moment when Andersen wasn’t on the ice with the other two goalies, sparking speculation as to whether he was getting the day off because he’s secretly injured or whatever, but he ended up coming out well before practice began.
That’s Joe Woll on the right, with his BC-coloured pads/glove/blocker still.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 28, 2019
Garret Sparks is on the left. He always has interesting pads. pic.twitter.com/coB03bcKvt
2015 draft pick Joseph Woll practices with the Leafs this morning. Newly signed after 3 years at Boston College , Woll is part of a major influx of hockey talent to come out of St. Louis. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/GKRVbkSPYF
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) March 28, 2019
It is unclear at this time whether Woll will stick around with the team in the mid-term, but it’s hard to believe a 20-year-old goaltender with no professional experience will have any impact on the NHL team. Likely, this is a chance for the team to get to know the player (on the ice and with the medical staff) before heading back to Boston to complete his exams. Woll was apparently a very good student and was able to complete a four-year degree in three years. He’ll likely head down the road to the Toronto Marlies for the rest of the season with a university degree in hand after all that’s done.
Joseph Woll is with the Leafs experiencing the ambience of the team room and every day routine.Immediate goals include going back to Boston College shortly to write exams and near completion of a finance degree.#LeafsForever
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) March 28, 2019
Travis Dermott
Dermott has been practicing with the Leafs for a few days, but it looks like he’s finally at the finish line in terms of his rehabilitation. Dermott skated a full practice with the Leafs in a regular sweater, meaning his shoulder has been cleared for contact. He skated on the third pair with former Marlies partner Martin Marincin. Some reports have Dermott on the left, while others have him on the right, and since Marincin also plays both sides, we likely won’t have a clear picture on whether Dermott is getting ready to play his off-hand or not until Saturday during the game. I personally like him on the left.
Travis Dermott getting set for his first practice since being cleared for contact pic.twitter.com/ijlnjT7ISQ
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 28, 2019
After practice, Mike Babcock all but confirmed that Dermott will be in the lineup alongside Marincin against the Ottawa Senators. The timing couldn’t be better for Dermott, who will get a chance to play a conditioning stint game against the AHL club in Ottawa before getting some real action against the New York Islanders on Monday.
Mike Babcock said the plan is to get Travis Dermott back in on Saturday in Ottawa.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 28, 2019
Said the timeline on Jake Gardiner is more murky, but Gardiner said he’s feeling good and ideally you want to get him back in before the end of the regular season.
Jake Gardiner
It’s been a good week for the Leafs in terms of getting some of their injured defensemen back on the ice. Travis Dermott is back and ready to go for Saturday, Calle Rosen has been with the Marlies for a full week now and is expected to join the Leafs next week, and Jake Gardiner is now skating with the team in practice.
Jake Gardiner has joined his teammates on the practice pad
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 28, 2019
Hasn’t been part of a main team session since late February pic.twitter.com/wzsxFO9I2y
Gardiner’s injured back has not quite been cleared for contact yet, and Babcock quoted the timetable for his return to still be “murky,” but is hopeful he gets in at least one game before the end of the season. With five games left in the season and 10 days to get there, that’s the timeline for the Leafs #1b defenseman.
Mike Babcock said the plan is to get Travis Dermott back in on Saturday in Ottawa.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 28, 2019
Said the timeline on Jake Gardiner is more murky, but Gardiner said he’s feeling good and ideally you want to get him back in before the end of the regular season.