The Toronto Maple Leafs have been beset by injuries early in the 2025-26 season, and their latest setback is in goal. Joseph Woll, who had stepped into the starting role with Anthony Stolarz sidelined, is now out, leaving the Leafs to lean on Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov for the time being. With both of their top goalies injured, Toronto may need to explore a temporary fix until Woll or Stolarz is healthy enough to reclaim the crease.
This situation has sparked a flurry of mock trades online, including one that drew significant attention from Heavy.com. The proposed deal would send Woll to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jordan Binnington, a swap that has left many fans debating its merits.
The idea is intriguing because Binnington is a high-end goalie with a track record, but the proposal doesn’t fit neatly from Toronto’s perspective. Binnington’s contract carries a $6 million cap hit through his fifth year of a six-year deal, while Woll is earning $3.6 million for the next three seasons. Toronto would face substantial cap implications, potentially increasing their goalie cap hit to around $8.25 million. To make the numbers work, the Leafs would likely need to include additional assets or have the Blues retain a portion of Binnington’s salary, which adds further complications.
From a strategic angle, moving Woll would also impact the locker room and long-term plans. The Leafs would also have to consider whether the return justifies sacrificing youth and cost control for a goaltender whose cap hit dwarfs Woll’s. There’s a sense that the Blues would demand a much richer return for a starting goalie, not merely a tandem option or a bottom-six forward to balance the books.
If Toronto is aiming to address the netminder situation through a trade, many pundits expect them to pursue more cost-efficient, low-variance options rather than a blockbuster move for a star goalie. Possible targets discussed by analysts include Laurent Brossoit from the Chicago Blackhawks or Alex Lyon from the Buffalo Sabres. These veterans could stabilize the crease without draining the Leafs’ assets, buying time until Woll or Stolarz is back in action.
In short, while the idea of adding a legendary starter like Binnington is exciting, the numbers and team-building logic don’t align for Toronto in this scenario. A more practical route would be to seek a mid-range option that fits the cap and maintains room to maneuver. Would such a conservative approach be enough to steady the Leafs’ goaltending, or is a bold move still worth pursuing if a suitable deal appears?
