Anthony Stolarz's Recent Comments Reveal Why He's Emerging as a Core Piece in Toronto

Speaking to reporters on the Leafs first day of training camp, Anthony Stolarz gave a positive response when asked about his future and contract talks with Toronto on a new deal.

Stolarz is heading into the final year of a two-year deal at $2.5M annually, an amount he's likely to increase on after a dominant season for Toronto where he was one of the NHL's top goaltenders despite being limited to just 34 games.

Appearing to be the Leafs #1 goalie, Stolarz has spoken on a potential new deal with Toronto and how things are progressing to keep Stolarz as the team's number one option.

Anthony Stolarz told reporters that his focus is on winning, but has expressed a desire to stay in Toronto and has indicated wanting to be a Maple Leaf.

On being in Toronto, Stolarz said that he is happy with the team and feels it is a positive environment to play in, expressing a happiness just to be playing in the NHL and being a starter.

Having even a career backup in the NHL, Stolarz has gotten his first proper taste of starter action and is looking to make that jump into a surprise No. 1 out of nowhere, and potentially solidify his future as a Toronto Maple Leaf.

There's no indication of what a deal for Anthony Stolarz looks like, but whatever that may be, it will be one that financially solidifies Stolarz as the team's starter.

Anthony Stolarz has shown he wants to win and he wants to be in Toronto, but it'll come down to what he's being offered and if the Leafs estimated value of their netminder is close to what Stolarz perceives himself to be worth.

Toronto could be hesitant to give starter money to a player in Stolarz who at 31 has only now managed to show he can be a starting netminder and has never played more than half a season in the NHL, two big question marks that ultimately make it uncertain how much he can be given and for how long.

They'll also need to know Stolarz is healthy, having been injured in the playoff vs Florida, getting a fully 100% Stolarz will make the Leafs more comfortable with the potential price.

Brad Treliving has maintained that he is not going to focus on any contract discussions right away, keeping any extension talks from being a distraction from the team's success.

Although Joseph Woll will be looking to compete, Stolarz has proven he's the main man in net for Toronto, and he could either take the starter money now, or take the risk of replicating last season's success and potentially take more, but all signs indicate Stolarz is interested in a deal sooner rather than later.

Stolarz is likely to sign for a deal that won't make him among one of the highest-paid goaltenders in the league, but will put him in the position to be paid as a starter, after years struggling to become starter now positioning himself for a big payday, but not one that will financially cripple the Toronto Maple Leafs entirely.