TORONTO — “I feel great. I'm ready to go.” Joseph Wall announced to reporters gathered on Friday at Toronto Maple Leafstraining facility in the West End before boarding a plane to Chicago.
While coach Craig Berube is keeping his goalie card close to his chest, expect Wall to start for the first time in nearly six months in the NHL on Saturday at the United Center against Connor Bedard and a spirited Blackhawks team (8-5-4).
“In practice, he's the same old Joe to me. I like what I see. He's a hard worker. He looks good,” Berube told reporters. “He seems normal to me and ready to go.”
Backup prospect Dennis Hildeby has appeared in four straight games – all losses through no fault of his own – and needs a break, while overworked starter Anthony Stolarz has not returned to practice after suffering an upper-body injury on Tuesday in Boston.
Wall, 27, played a game and a half with the Marlies during AHL training (0-1-1, .885) and has been back with the organization for three weeks since his abrupt departure from training camp to deal with personal matter.
Yes, the Maple Leafs' 32nd-ranked defense is leaking oil (allowing a league-worst 3.83 goals per game), but Wall is the best healthy goalie in the system – and his start on the road should ease the pressure.
In addition to activating Wall Friday, the Maple Leafs also recalled the energetic rookie Easton Cowan. In related moves, they placed goaltender Artur Akhtyamov and retroactively placed captain Auston Matthews (lower body) on injured reserve. Matthews' earliest return is Thursday against Columbus.
Cowan has played alongside Nicholas Roy and Sammy Blais, as well as the top power play player, without Matthews, and is no doubt thrilled to be back with the big club after two games with the Marlies (one assist).
Cowan missed a meeting with close friend Fraser Minten because he was playing in the AHL during Toronto's two-game showdown with the Boston Bruins.
“We talk almost every day about how things are going,” Minten said as the Bruins rolled through Toronto on Saturday. “About the same place I was here last year. Not a lot of people understand what it's like when you're a young guy coming from the juniors, especially a guy like him.
“He's been a star for years now and it's a huge transition to a different role and a different league and all that stuff. The friendship that we have helps me talk to him and hopefully helps him.”
What did Minten advise Cowan while the Leafs' undisputed top prospect was on the farm?
“Just play the game as if you were playing in the NHL,” Minten said. “Build your game. If you keep doing the right things, they'll see it and you'll get another chance. Just be ready for it when you get it.”
And Berube will lean on Cowan and, in all likelihood, Wall on Saturday to end the club's longest losing streak.
One-time: The Maple Leafs have a goal differential of minus-4, while the surprising Blackhawks have a goal differential of plus 11. …Matthew Nice and Brandon Carlo missed Friday's practice for maintenance. … Scott Laughton (upper body) returned to the ice wearing a non-contact jersey. … Chris Tanev (upper body) doesn't have a timetable for a return yet, but Berube says the guard is moving in the right direction.
