Toronto Maple Leafs News

Ekman-Larsson was forced to leave the Panthers' previous game after taking a high hit from Charlie McAvoy which led to a four-game suspension and was a game-time decision Thursday vs. Detroit. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Panthers in the offseason and has a goal, two assists, 21 SOG and six PIMs in eight games this season.

Ekman-Larsson was forced to leave the Panthers' previous game after taking a high hit from Charlie McAvoy which led to a four-game suspension and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Detroit. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Panthers in the offseason and has a goal, two assists, 21 SOG and six PIMs in eight games this season.

Benning was averaging 18:29 time-on-ice through eight games with the Sharks where he tallied a single point (0G / 1A) before being placed on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Benning's placement on IR coincides with the call-up of Nikita Okhotyuk, who is returning from a conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda.

Woll is the confirmed starter for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday when they host the Los Angeles Kings. Woll has appeared in three of the last four games for the Maple Leafs, posting a 3-0-0 record along with a dazzling .979 SV%. Woll's play has been remarkable to start the season as he is doing everything in his ability to solidify himself as the go-to guy between the pipes for the Maple Leafs. He has given them a chance to win every night but will have his ability put to the ultimate test on Tuesday against the Kings' league-best offence (4.38 GF / GP).

Benning will sit for the first time this season after averaging 18:44 of ice-time in his first seven games of the season for the winless Sharks. He has just one assist and eight shots on goal in those seven games. Benning will be replaced in Friday's lineup by 36-year-old veteran Marc-Édouard Vlasic.

McCabe was injured (lower body) in his first shift after playing only 10 seconds on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. He has zero points, nine blocks, 12 hits, and a -4 plus/minus rating through seven games this season. William Lagesson was recalled on Friday by the Maple Leafs and is likely to be McCabe's replacement on the back end.

Woll is on his way to cementing himself as the go-to guy between the pipes for the Maple Leafs as he is likely to start for the second straight game. This season, Woll has given the Maple Leafs a chance to win each night, boasting a 1.44 GAA and .957 SV% through three contests (2-1-0). Ilya Samsonov, who entered the season as the Maple Leafs' likely starter, has struggled immensely, posting an ugly 4.34 GAA and .831 SV% in four games (2-1-0). The Maple Leafs are slight -101 road underdogs against an undefeated Dallas Stars team (4-0-1).

Woll is on his way to cementing himself as the go-to guy between the pipes for the Maple Leafs as he is likely to start for the second straight game. This season, Woll has given the Maple Leafs a chance to win each night, boasting a 1.44 GAA and .957 SV% through three contests (2-1-0). Ilya Samsonov, who entered the season as the Maple Leafs' likely starter, has struggled immensely, posting an ugly 4.34 GAA and .831 SV% in four games (2-1-0). The Maple Leafs are slight -101 road underdogs against an undefeated Dallas Stars team (4-0-1).

Woll is quickly making his case to be the more reliable option in net for the Maple Leafs as he will start on Tuesday for the second time in their last four contests. Woll came in to relieve Ilya Samsonov on Saturday and saved all 29 shots he faced to help the Maple Leafs come from behind and win 4-3 in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In two games (1-1-0), Woll has an impressive 1.69 GAA and .949 SV%, completely outperforming his counterpart, Samsonov, who has an ugly 4.34 GAA and .831 SV% through four games (2-1-0). Samsonov and the Leafs will be facing off against a Washington Capitals that has been miserable offensively to start the season, averaging a league-worst 1.25 goals per game this season (1-2-1).

Stolarz will make his season debut on Tuesday and start his first as a Florida Panther. Stolarz spent last season as the backup goalie for the Anaheim Ducks, where he had 19 appearances (5-6-0) and posted a 3.66 GAA and .899 SV%. The Panthers rank 20th defensively at the moment (3.40 GA/GP), which is a slight improvement over what Stolarz was exposed to as a Duck last season (4.09 GA/GP). The Panthers will face off against the Sharks, who rank second-worst in the league offensively, averaging a miniscule 1.40 goals per game through five contests (0-4-1).

Benoit will be returned to the Marlies (AHL) where he will presumably see some playing time. The 25-year-old defenseman was called up by the Maple Leafs earlier this season but never found his way into the lineup. He had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 78 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season.

Holmberg has been recalled from the AHL after recording two points (1G / 1A) in two games with the Marlies. The Maple Leafs' sixth-round pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft will likely serve as a depth forward for the team as they enter the second game of a season-long, five-game road trip.

Johnson made his season debut last game vs. Montreal but will be a healthy scratch Monday vs. Toronto as MacKenzie Entwistle enters Chicago's lineup. The 25-year-old centre played 12 shifts, 9:29 TOI and was a -1 plus/minus in his only game played this season. He will hope to draw back into the Blackhawks' lineup soon after scoring four goals and six points in 57 games in 2022-23.

Woll makes his season debut as the starter for the Maple Leafs on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. As -333 home favourite, Woll and the Maple Leafs should have no issue securing a victory tonight. In 11 games at the NHL level over the past two seasons (9-2-0), Woll has amassed an impressive 2.38 GAA and .924 SV% along with one shutout. Despite winning their first two games, the Maple Leafs have struggled defensively (9 GA) but will look to shut things down against last year's 31st-placed Chicago Blackhawks.

Benoit has been sent down and recalled frequently, most likely as a paper transaction. He is expected to serve as the Maple Leafs' No.7/reserve defenseman for Saturday's game against the Wild.

Benoit was recalled from Toronto (AHL) ahead of the Maple Leafs' season opener Wednesday vs. Montreal but was a healthy scratch and has been loaned back to Marlies on Thursday. The 25-year-old defensemen signed a one-year contract worth $775,000 during the offseason with the Maple Leafs after three goals, 10 points and 60 PIMs in 78 games played with Anaheim in 2022-23.

Benoit cleared waivers yesterday but has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) Wednesday. The 25-year-old defenseman signed a one-year, $775,000 contract during the offseason after three goals, seven assists, 82 SOG, 60 PIMs and a -29 plus/minus in 78 games played with Anaheim in 2022-23.

Cowan was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft (28th overall) and had an incredibly impressive training camp but has been reassigned to the London Knights (OHL) for the 2023-24 season. The 18-year-old forward returns to junior hockey where he had 20 goals, 33 assists, 47 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus in 68 games in 2022-23.