Anthony Stolarz's Salary Expectations Revealed as Leafs May Walk Away From Deal
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Anthony Stolarz only has one year left on a very team-friendly deal, but if he keeps up his production; some believe it might lead to a much higher salary next year in free agency.
Signed last season as a backup for Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz emerged as Toronto's de facto #1 starter and took the reins and ran with them. Not only did he end up putting up a stellar season, he was poised to help the team against Florida before being injured in Game One.
But he's only got this year left before he reaches free agency, and with Toronto finally having reliable and consistent goaltending, they would definitely like to keep him around; but it might cost them.
Anthony Stolarz potentially reaching near $6M per season on his next deal
With Stolarz doing so well this past season and a lot of expectations this year, if he blows them away yet again he is going to get paid.
It was the topic of debate on the Leafs Morning Take podcast, as host Nick Alberga ended up throwing out some comparable contracts to co-host Carter Hutton that might end up being similar to what we see:
There's a bunch of different comparables. That's why I think this contract won't be too difficult to hammer out.
Some I've found are Adin Hill at six-years $37.5M ($6.25M AAV), Karel Vejmelka got an extension with Utah five-years, $23.5M ($4.7M AAV), Kevin Lankinen got five-years, $22.5M ($5.625M AAV), Logan Thompson; six-years, $31.5M ($5.25M), MacKenzie Blackwood, five-years, $26.25M ($5.25M AAV).
I ask you as Anthony Stolarz, not Carter Hutton, what are you asking for on July 1?
Some I've found are Adin Hill at six-years $37.5M ($6.25M AAV), Karel Vejmelka got an extension with Utah five-years, $23.5M ($4.7M AAV), Kevin Lankinen got five-years, $22.5M ($5.625M AAV), Logan Thompson; six-years, $31.5M ($5.25M), MacKenzie Blackwood, five-years, $26.25M ($5.25M AAV).
I ask you as Anthony Stolarz, not Carter Hutton, what are you asking for on July 1?
Hutton started out saying it needs to start long-term:
I think it'a gotta start with six. With the six when I look at Kevin Lankinen's deal, Vejmelka's, I look at some of these guys. Yes there is always that age right but you look at two consistent good years, and his one year in Florida; it's gotta be there.
So what could we see Anthony Stolarz signing for potentially this July 1?
Potential numbers for Anthony Stolarz's extension
Well if Toronto feels confident that Stolarz is over his injury issues, then committing long-term wouldn't be a bad deal, and give the Leafs a tandem to work with for the next several years.
While there is a good difference between Vejmelka and Lankinen's deal, the team could find a solid middle ground to keep Stolarz financially sound while also ensuring he sticks around for a while.
Let's split the difference.
It's only $925,000 between the $4.7M and $5.625M, and trying to find the middle ground would be a little hard but with some odd math, it could work out.
Let's half the difference then; add $462,500 to that and give Stolarz a $5.162M AAV. That would make a five-year deal worth $25.8M; a very reasonable contract that will get cheaper with a rising cap.
That would be a combined $8.8M between two goaltenders for the foreseeable future, and wouldn't be even nearly as close as some teams pay for their top netminder.
Wouldn't you pay that much for reliable goaltending? Seems reasonable.
Stolarz was electric in his first season, going 21-8-3 with a 2.14 GAA and a .926 SV% to go along with four shutouts.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 17 | 671 ANSWERS Anthony Stolarz's Salary Expectations Revealed as Leafs May Walk Away From Deal Should Toronto extend Anthony Stolarz for a long-term deal? | ||
| Yes | 551 | 82.1 % |
| No | 120 | 17.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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