Auston Matthews Delivers Class Act for Anthony Stolarz After Leafs Contract News
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
During the Maple Leafs practice on Monday, captain Auston Matthews pulled a classy move with Anthony Stolarz after the goaltender recently signed his extension.
Anthony Stolarz recently signed a contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs to the tune of a four-year, $15-million deal. It was a bargain deal that saw the team lock up their goaltending for the next few years at an absurdly low cost.
There's a lot to be excited about as his tandem with Joseph Woll is going to be fantastic (when he returns) and if they can replicate what they did last year, a repeat Atlantic Division title doesn't seem too out of the picture.
Matthews' Class Act During Maple Leafs Practice
It seems like the captain himself is pretty excited too, and managed to pull of a pretty classy move with Stolarz at the end of Monday's practice.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube also recognized Stolarz's extension before practice took off which got a massive applause from his teammates and a lot of stick taps.
Last season, Stolarz posted a 21-8-3 record with a 2.14 GAA and .926 SV% for the Maple Leafs in his debut, stunning everyone who assumed he would be solid but not that good.
Why Anthony Stolarz's Recognition Is Important
He's going to be a huge part of Toronto getting off to a strong start this season, as Woll's absence currently has no timeline, and with Dennis Hildeby and potentially James Reimer backing him up; he needs to be in top form.
But he's been consistently motivated to win with Toronto, and he's been doing everything in his power to prove to the fans that not only does he love the city, but their passion:
It's pretty special to be able to look out into the stands and see people with your jersey on. I kind of thought coming in last year, I was a guy kind win the background.
Just looking up and being able to see Stolarz jerseys and all these kids that had signs, it really makes you think back to when I was a kid going to New Jersey Devils practices and watching Martin Brodeur.
I just think the loyalty and passion towards us is a huge part in all of us, and I'm looking forward to giving back.
Just looking up and being able to see Stolarz jerseys and all these kids that had signs, it really makes you think back to when I was a kid going to New Jersey Devils practices and watching Martin Brodeur.
I just think the loyalty and passion towards us is a huge part in all of us, and I'm looking forward to giving back.
His charm is infectious, and it's clear that his teammates have a lot of love for him too.
Toronto has rarely ever had a goalie who was so dead set on Toronto since perhaps Reimer when he was drafted, and going back even further; Curtis Joseph. You can tell Stolarz found a home here, and he's comfortable and confident.
Which spells trouble for any opponents thinking that last year's injury and disappointing finish is going to stop him.
There's unfinished business for the goaltender, and he's looking to tidy things up once and for all in 2025-26.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 29 | 2397 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Delivers Class Act for Anthony Stolarz After Leafs Contract News Are you excited that Anthony Stolarz signed an extension in Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 2201 | 91.8 % |
| No | 196 | 8.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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