Brad Treliving Faces Tough Decision on Anthony Stolarz's Future With Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
With Anthony Stolarz's contract coming up, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has to make a decision, but it might depend on his injury history and if he can be healthy according to the Steve Dangle Podcast.
A pleasant surprise last season, Anthony Stolarz cemented himself as a true #1 starter in the NHL and was a key reason why the Maple Leafs were able to crown themselves Atlantic Division Champions.
Had he not gotten injured in Game One of Round Two of the playoffs, things against Florida may have been very different. But the fact remains, regardless; his tandem with Joseph Woll is incredible.
Why Stolarz's Injury History Complicates Extension Talks in Toronto
But he is a free agent next summer and the team certainly wants to keep him in tow. For the Steve Dangle Podcast, they believe that an extension should be in the works, and it might behoove Stolarz to sign given his injury history:
I think Treliving right now, his pressure point is Stolarz and his injury history. Saying you want to lock him up as reassurance for you and your family and all of the millions if you can make.
If you get injured again, no one is paying you $7M to play goaltender because you can't be trusted. But Anthony Stolarz might wanna bet on himself and say I can go out there and be a #1 starter, and I have a $7M deal from the Oilers? Yeah.
If you get injured again, no one is paying you $7M to play goaltender because you can't be trusted. But Anthony Stolarz might wanna bet on himself and say I can go out there and be a #1 starter, and I have a $7M deal from the Oilers? Yeah.
It would be wild to see Stolarz decide to test the market and bet on himself and tend up in Edmonton, and a lot of it hinges on his workload and whether he can handle things for 40-50 games especially as he's getting older.
Basically, Toronto has to entice Stolarz to not only want to be part of things for the next few years, but Stolarz also has to use some his leverage as a fantastic and reliable starter to ensure he gets paid.
We know that negotiations between the two parties are happening, and things are looking like they are progressing smoothly but there is always a chance that Stolarz is looking at the bigger picture.
What the Maple Leafs Risk if Stolarz Bets on Himself in Free Agency
So if he does indeed think that a solid season can turn into a big payday, Toronto is looking at a really tough situation.
It's not hard to expect Stolarz to put up similar numbers to last season, where he went 21-8-3 with a 2.16 GAA and .926 SV% with four shutouts; if he stays healthy he could break 30 wins and be in the Vezina conversation.
They have Woll locked up, so he becomes the #1 by default, but after that it's going to be an inexperienced Dennis Hildeby or some version of Ken Appleby/a random veteran pickup.
For Toronto to go from their best goaltending in decades to living on a prayer is a nightmare to think about, and it might be best for Stolarz to give himself a for sure deal instead of trying for the big fish.
Who does Toronto go after if he does leave? Thatcher Demko? Jacob Markstrom? Try and throw as much money they can at a 36-year old Sergei Bobrovsky? It's a lot to ask and the Leafs should try and sweeten the pot for Stolarz to keep him in their plans.
If not, things could go downhill very quickly.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 4 | 1322 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Faces Tough Decision on Anthony Stolarz's Future With Maple Leafs Will Toronto re-sign Anthony Stolarz? | ||
| Yes | 1235 | 93.4 % |
| No | 87 | 6.6 % |
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