Confirmed with Link: Leafs acquire Emil Andrae, Samuel Ersson, 2026 3rd for Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit

[DarkKnight]

Andrae might be a nice add to the blue line, we desperately need some puck movers and his defensive numbers look pretty good actually. Seems a gamer, if a bit undersized. I always liked Benoit, but we need different D men, we have enough "stay at home" types.

As for Woll, he looked great at times but man oh man was he not reliable. He's seems fragile and frankly not someone I trust to be there moving forward. The goalie we get back is fodder, we obviously think the two kids with the Marlies are comers.

We get a pick and a D with upside, could work out. I don't think we gave up much in the end, a goalie was going.

 

[fahad203]

Woll has shown flashes of being great, so that kind of sucks.

Glad Benoit is gone, he sucks, an expensive D for the press box.

3rd + a D who can move the puck is fine, unsure how to feel until I see some of Andrae, but from a quick look, he seems to be good at suppressing chances against, and decent at driving play.

Did really well with Seeler, struggled with Drysdale.

Might be more of a bottom-pairing guy who can take some defensive zone draws and transition quickly up ice, would be nice to have over a D who is a liability but can hit people here and there and get beat up in fights.

Also, it opens up a little more cap space and allows Hildeby a spot, so he is not claimed (not high on Hildeby though).

Gives AA a clearer path too.

I really liked Woll but every time he stretched to make a save I would hold my breath. Poor guy, couldn't stay healthy enough to get into any kind of rhythm. Reality is, his game is falling off a bit.

Liked Benoit for first year, brought something different. His game went a bit south

Org must believe in AA. He has earned the right for a long look.

I complained about not enough changes, well here I am, must embrace it

 

[DuklaNation]

2 swedes. The Sundin effect.

 

[Rare Jewel]

It's okay.

I'm not the biggest Woll guy, great dude, though, wish him all the best with any personal issue he has.

But no Market for Stolarz at this time, plus he's the better goalie (IMO) when actually healthy, better puck-handling, more calm in the crease, etc., and it clears a path for one of the Beast or AA to play.

Also, add another pick to make a trade-up more likely if you're keen on those ideas or just to have another pick.

 

[JKG33]

Benoit is exactly the kind of dman that playoff teams that missed out on good dmen give up too much for at the deadline, it was very silly to wait to the offseason to move him. I also don't like dealing with GMs who have recently taken us to the woodshed in trades. but obviously I have no idea about the dman we got.

Yup. Look at what Buffalo gave up to get Stanley and Schenn. Playoff teams love those guys and rightfully so.

But nope, gotta add a midget because the spreadsheet said so. Dubas we are so back

 

[Tak7]

Funny that the leafs are making a clear statement that they are not prioritizing big butchers on defense anymore and want mobile puck movers, size optional. But the guy that they picked up, despite having an offensive bent, hasn't actually produced any more points than Benoit

To be fair - both Jared Spurgeon and Sam Girard aren't offensive producers, but are really good Dmen with high IQ, solid skating ability, and move the puck well as undersized guys.

Andrae's comparable or upside seems to be that type of player.

 

[The Masters]

 

[sxvnert]

We could hope that this sets up another deal within the next few days. Ersson can play an entire season while Woll cant but I'm sure in Philly he'll become an iron man.

​

 

[Stephen]

From Wonderwoll to Don’t Look Back In Anger.

 

[fahad203]

Leafs cleared 5 mil in cap space for 2 rfas

I liked wonder woll .... Benoit had guys and was serviceable as a #6 d

Leafs must be going for brobovsky or anderson via ufa

I think it's Helly.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I feel like moving on from Woll has a greater regret factor than Stolarz. But Stolarz has a greater ceiling and lower floor than Woll. Generally didn’t really like the career progression of Woll, his physical health issues and other unavailability issues. His WC was also weak and seems to be a nice guy treading water in his career. I think Hildeby and AA are more exciting goalies of the future. Maybe Ersson gives us a veteran in a pinch.

As for why they would want Stolarz. WHEN HEALTHY, Stolarz has been better than Woll the past few seasons. But he has had some real health issues.

He's way more intense and big in the locker room. If culture change is the goal, I understand keeping OEL and Stolarz even if it makes sense to move them on paper. They bring the Panthers style culture here and I assume they want to build something similar.

He's also an elite puck handler which again, if the goal is better puck movement from the backend makes sense.

 

[Leaf Lander]

Dubas show starring tiny keafs surfs is back on for our viewing entertainment oh wait hnic canda got cancelled by rogers today

 

[Leaf Fans]

then this is a stupid f***ing trad ngl.

woll is a 1a in this league. If he played for vegas they win.

Possibly, but plying for Toronto he didn't. I hope he does well in Philly except when they play the Leafs.

 

[Warden of the North]

I mean I like both Woll and Benny, but neither of them are real pieces here. Benny is a third pair dman, Woll's health means he tops out as a 1B at best. Goalie trade value is crap.

Andrae has a peak of potential and a third is a third. It's not nothing.

 

[notbias]

I really liked Woll but every time he stretched to make a save I would hold my breath. Poor guy, couldn't stay healthy enough to get into any kind of rhythm. Reality is, his game is falling off a bit.

Liked Benoit for first year, brought something different. His game went a bit south

Org must believe in AA. He has earned the right for a long look.

I complained about not enough changes, well here I am, must embrace it

Benoit just doesn't defend well, and he is an offensive black hole, his entire value is that he tries really hard.

Woll has shown flashes of being an elite goalie, but ya, he hasn't put it together for long enough.

Losing Woll kind of sucks, but they had a tough decision this offseason on goalies.

I also think if Woll was your backup this year, you just got a 3rd + younger D with upside for an expensive backup.

I think Andrae is undervalued in this. I think there is some upside there.

Again, sucks to see Woll go, we've seen how good he can play, but if the direction of the team is younger, more skilled, and faster, I am happy.

 

[dangomon]

I'm not saying it's amazing value, but I think this trade likely shakes down to:

Woll for Andrae +3rd
Benoit for Ersson

Its so hard to gauge value on goalies because they never fetch as much as you'd like. Assuming the front office is higher on Andrae than we think based on his underlyings (which are quite strong), you then tack on a 3rd which isn't a ton but also isn't nothing.

Benoit for Ersson is more body out, body in. I think it's kind of poo for poo here. I really don't anticipate Ersson takes time from Hildeby unless he shows incredibly well in preseason. Have to think he's either not qualified or waived in preseason to be a warm body with the Marlies.

 

[Jozay]

Not really a fan, thought Woll would have more value

 

[sxvnert]

AI dump:

Emil Andrae

is an undersized, highly creative, offense-first defenseman who excels at puck distribution and breakout transition. Drafted 54th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2020, the 24-year-old Swede was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He enters the next phase of his career coming off a solid 2025–26 regular season, where he registered 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) and a +15 rating over 61 games.

On-Ice Strengths

• Elite Playmaking & Transition: Andrae has outstanding vision from the blue line. He is highly capable of executing precise short and long breakout passes, opening up passing lanes by walking the line laterally with expert edge work.
• Deceptive Physicality: Despite his 5'9" frame, he plays with a thick, broad build and immense lower-body strength. He actively initiates contact, protects the puck under duress, and plays with a high-intensity motor that makes him a highly competitive dualist along the boards.
• Offensive Zone IQ: He plays with extreme confidence at the point, knowing exactly how to filter wrist shots through heavy traffic to create second-chance tips and rebounds.
• Active Stick Defending: While offense is his primary calling card, his defensive game is elevated by strong positioning, high IQ, and a relentless active stick that routinely disrupts opposing rush lanes.

Weaknesses & Areas for Growth

• Lack of Foot Speed: His straight-line skating remains relatively mediocre due to a slightly clunky stride. While highly agile in tight spaces, he struggles to generate elite top-end speed to recover if caught out of position.
• Size Limitations: His 5'9", 189-pound frame leaves him at a natural disadvantage against towering NHL power forwards during extended cycles in the defensive zone.
• Consistency under Pressure: As a young puck-mover, he still experiences occasional lapses in high-risk decision-making when forced into making rapid plays inside his own blue line.

 

[Stephen]

As for why they would want Stolarz. WHEN HEALTHY, Stolarz has been better than Woll the past few seasons. But he has had some real health issues.

He's way more intense and big in the locker room. If culture change is the goal, I understand keeping OEL and Stolarz even if it makes sense to move them on paper. They bring the Panthers style culture here and I assume they want to build something similar.

He's also an elite puck handler which again, if the goal is better puck movement from the backend makes sense.

Stolarz is a perfect alpha voice when he can back it up with stud number one play. No idea what it’s like when he’s not performing and still talking. But he does have a swagger to him that Woll doesn’t. Woll comes across as very meek.

 

[HockeyVirus]

This reminds me a lot of Dubas trading Marchment for Malgin when you look at the players. Now obviously Marchment was younger and ended up being far better than Benoit is. But Benoit is a tough SOB and a nice #6 to have. I have no interest in adding a midget to the back end, thats not what teams like Florida and Vegas do.

What is your opinion on Lane Hutson? Please don't make me defend that puke but I am assuming you like him. He's had some good success being small on the backend in both regular season and playoffs. Other teams are adding smaller skilled dman to the backend and finding success.

Again, I have 0 clue about the player. But IF our analytics department is as great as they say and just not used well and this is us finding another dman like those who might be able to give 17-18 minutes and put up 40+ points while not being a liability defensively? In the right system it could work and maybe this is one of those finds.

Check out his AHL and SHL stats

 

[Warden of the North]

then this is a stupid f***ing trad ngl.

woll is a 1a in this league. If he played for vegas they win.

Woll has never started more then 41 games in a season.

 

[The Masters]

 

[Menzinger]

An interesting trade - fits with the current front offices vibe of approaching things a bit from left field.

I liked Woll and will miss him, but his injury issues made him difficult to be reliable. Benoit was fine but nothing to lose sleep over.

I think Andrae is the most intriguing piece. Some interesting underlying analytics and it looks like he has room to evolve as a player. And at 5'9 definitely a sign that the Tre era is over lol. And always nice to get a pick; don't have much opinion on the goalie.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Sad to see Woll go. But they had to do something with their goaltending. Ersson sucks pretty bad but should be someone that can duel AA with the Marlies next year.

I can't see AA dueling with anyone on the Marlies. He's the future.

 

[Leaf Lander]

Woll has never started more then 41 games in a season.

In The new nhl this is pretty common for 1a