Craig Berube Delivers Major Update on Joseph Woll that Will Excite Toronto Maple Leafs Fans

Joseph Woll has been out of the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup due to a leave of absence for weeks now. He missed all of training camp and has missed the first 13 games of the NHL season.

However, he has been practicing with the team again, and there has been a sense that he could be coming back soon. Although he would have to go on a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies first.

Tonight, the Leafs play the Utah Mammoth, and with Anthony Stolarz getting his 11th start in 14 games, there is some anxiety surrounding when Woll will come back.

According to Luke Fox, head coach Craig Berube had a positive update this morning. Simply put, "it's close."

For now, it remains to be seen if the plan is to still send Joseph Woll down to the AHL or just throw him into the fire of NHL action right away.

The Leafs don't want to waste any more time, especially with a back-to-back this weekend against the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Anthony Stolarz has been given a lot of action to start the season, and it has not been easy for him to adapt to the workload, which has been the heaviest of his career.

He currently has a record of 5-4-1, as well as a goals-against average of 3.13 and a save percentage of .896. These are numbers that have to improve dramatically for the Leafs to be contenders.

As for Joseph Woll, his return to the lineup could make things easier on Stolarz. It will also make goaltending decisions easier for Craig Berube.

Hopefully, Woll can be the guy he was last season once he returns.