Maple Leafs Facing Tough Goaltending Decision With Anthony Stolarz

Last season was a breakout year for Anthony Stolarz. Fresh off a Stanley Cup win as the backup netminder for the Florida Panthers under Sergei Bobrovsky, Stolarz signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Although limited to just 34 games due to injury and missing most of the second round of Toronto's playoff series against the eventual cup-winning Panthers, Stolarz solidified himself as Toronto's number one, but faces a question as the long-term option in net.

For one, Stolarz will be a free agent at the end of the season, and will likely be looking for a strong payday that could be a bit costly if next season goes well and he can be a capable starting goalie for a full season.

Stolarz faces another layer of uncertainty as two quality prospects lie in the wait in Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov, the latter having already given a six-game stint with Toronto this past season, Hildeby looking like a potential NHL option for the Leafs.

If Hildeby can prove he is NHL ready after this season, Stolarz could become expendable if he doesn't replicate his form in 2025-26, or even if he does and his contract becomes too much to justify.

Having only been a backup until last season, Stolarz has always managed to put up good numbers but in limited minutes, with his 34 games this season his career high, making a big money contract an uncertainty for Toronto to dish out, especially as he'll be 32 this upcoming January.

Before Anthony Stolarz emerged as the clear #1 in net, the focus was on Joseph Woll as the Leafs future. If Woll were to take on the starting role, it could lead to Stolarz looking for more money elsewhere.

Woll is still a capable netminder although he's struggled to become a full time starter for Toronto, even being pulled for third string Matt Murray in the playoffs. At worst, Woll has still been a serviceable backup.

Stolarz led all goalies with at least 30 GP with a .926 SV% in his 34 games with a 21-8-3 record, finishing third in GAA with a 2.14, showing that out of Bobrovsky's shadow there is a reliable netminder.

Joseph Woll had a solid year with a .909 SV% and a 2.73 GAA along with a 27-14-1 record, numbers that don't wow compared to Stolarz but are not poor for a starter, although they don't signal him as one of the league's top goalies.

Toronto could take their time on a new deal for Anthony Stolarz with all the factors that make it an uncertainty over what to do with him.

Having been a promising player even with limited game time, Stolarz has commanded what should be a raise on his current $2.5M, and if signed long-term could be a disappointment for Toronto if he returns to just being a backup level player.

On the flip side, if they were to sign Stolarz to a reasonable deal even above his current number, if Stolarz plays well without a new contract, it could lead to a team offering to pay more and potentially one with less competition than Woll & Hildeby lurking behind.

An extension for Stolarz is unlikely to happen right away, although talks will eventually come before the season ends, with no indication either side wants a split between Stolarz and the Leafs, he's still their starter for the time being.