Joseph Woll is a talented young goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s been sidelined with a tough ankle injury since December 7. However, in some good news today, it seems he’s ready to fire up the pads again. Woll has officially begun his AHL conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies. That’s a long time coming, but it marks a significant step towards his comeback.

Related: Maple Leafs Call Up Marshall Rifai from AHL Marlies: Who’s He?

The Maple Leafs Have Missed Woll in Their Crease

Having been sidelined since early December, Woll’s absence has been felt. Fortunately, after a huge funk that rendered Ilya Samsonov almost useless in the net for a short series of games, the Maple Leafs goalie play has prospered recently. Samsonov is on a winning streak and Martin Jones has been solid in the crease.

Still, it would seem to me that Woll is the man in the net for the Maple Leafs. He’s had an impressive season when he’s been able to play. His statistics speak volumes about his capabilities. He’s put up an 8-5-1 record, a 2.80 goals-against average (GAA), and a stellar .916 save percentage in 15 games. He’s proven himself as a reliable option for the Maple Leafs.

Woll Might Soon Be in a Maple Leafs Uniform in the Crease

His assignment to the AHL for a conditioning stint indicates that Woll is on the mend and nearing full readiness. The good news is that he should be ready to rejoin the Maple Leafs. Once he returns, the 25-year-old is expected to share goaltending duties with Ilya Samsonov. As I noted, Samsonov has shown glimpses of a comeback to his solid last-season form after a ton of struggles earlier.

When Woll returns, that should provide a much-needed boost to Toronto’s goaltending depth. I for one, like most Maple Leafs fans, can’t wait to see Woll back in action. He has the potential to be a good goalie for a long time with this Maple Leafs team. We should get more updates as Woll’s AHL conditioning stint progresses and his return to the team lineup draws closer.

What Happens with Martin Jones When Woll Returns?

The question now is what happens with Martin Jones? Will the Maple Leafs try to pass him through waivers and hope he can make it to the AHL? If so, he’s likely to be snapped up.

With Jones posting a respectable 2.65 GAA and a .911 save percentage in his 17 games. If the team can keep him, they will have a formidable trio of goaltenders to rely on as they continue their push toward the playoffs.

Related: The Good, Bad, & the Ugly in Maple Leafs 4-2 Win In St. Louis