Anthony Stolarz finally gave a return window, and it's sooner than the Leafs have let on
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Anthony Stolarz's return to the ice has been caused by a nerve issue, though he sounds confident he can get back to the ice sooner than Toronto expected.
With the injury to Anthony Stolarz keeping him out the last two months, there is concern growing that he either won't be healthy enough to sustain a long playoff push, or even ifs he's ever going to be at 100%.
But he is slowly working his way back to the ice and Friday's endurance test at practice shows that the team is trusting him to make a return shortly and while reports state that it's possible to see Stolarz before the Olympics; that would take a heroic effort.
Oh the nerve! What's been bothering Anthony Stolarz not a typical injury
However, Stolarz himself explained that the injury that he was dealing with was caused by a nerve issue and he feels close to returning.
Though how close? According to the netminder himself -- only a couple more practices to go:
I had to kind of let it settle down a little bit. It's not like a bruise where it goes away. It was just something that I just kind of had to let heal on its own. And, you know, it just took a little while.
While he didn't elaborate on the extent of the injury, the goaltender felt confident he would be back in short order according to Jonas Siegel:
Stolarz figured he would need a few additional practices before he was ready to return to game action.
Whether it be a pinched nerve or something more akin to tennis elbow, whatever it was clearly was serious enough to keep Stolarz off the ice for weeks.
What a 'couple more practices' means for Stolarz and the Maple Leafs
In his absence the Maple Leafs have gotten some great goaltending out of Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby which is not only a great sign that Toronto can have some seriously strong goaltending going forward but that they also have a trade asset waiting in the wings.
So there is a world where Stolarz returns, plays well enough in short order, and finds himself on the way out. While it would be a bit frustrating for fans to lose out on Stolarz, his injury issues have caused a lot more friction.
Fans want to see him and he just can't stay healthy unfortunately.
A couple more practices gives him roughly until the end of January, so based off the team's schedule and barring any setbacks there is a timeline for him to come back either:
- January 23rd vs. Vegas
- January 25th vs. Colorado
- January 27th vs. Buffalo
- January 25th vs. Colorado
- January 27th vs. Buffalo
This gives Stolarz three games extra to rest and a few more practice shifts before he gets ready to start, and it would be quite the story to have him return on the same night that Mitch Marner makes his return to Toronto.
There's been a rumored trade package floating around that would see Stolarz packaged with several players to bring in Dougie Hamilton, and it could be a great chance for him to reset while still having the responsibility he wants; in front of a hometown crowd too.
Whether or not the Maple Leafs decide to keep him is still anyone's guess and Brad Treliving's quest to find lineup help has a track record that shows he's willing to send out stars.
But for now, his goal is to get back on the ice and it sounds like fans and the Maple Leafs won't need to wait long until he's back in game action.
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JANVIER 17|1157 ANSWERS Anthony Stolarz finally gave a return window, and it's sooner than the Leafs have let on Do you still believe in Anthony Stolarz as Toronto's #1 goalie? | ||
| Yes | 290 | 25.1 % |
| No | 867 | 74.9 % |
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