Maple Leafs Star at the Center of Latest Contract Negotiations as Treliving Makes His Move
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs, X
The Toronto Maple Leafs are working on a potential major extension to lock up one of their key stars in Anthony Stolarz according to a new report from David Pagnotta
After signing goaltender Dennis Hildeby to a three-year contract extension, a report from David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period' shares that Toronto is now in talks on another goaltending move, locking up starter Anthony Stolarz.
According to Pagnotta, Toronto is now engaged with talks on a new deal for the 31-year-old who will be a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
Pagnotta says that Toronto has «started» negotiations on a new deal, but there's no indication of a deal close to done at this time. Stolarz is heading into his second season with Toronto while expected to be the Leafs starter heading into the season.
Toronto Committed To Gamble Of Anthony Stolarz As Starter
The Toronto Maple Leafs are gambling on Anthony Stolarz as the team's starter at least for the next while, despite the risk that comes with the plan.
For one, Stolarz has never been able to be a starter, and at 31 has only now emerged as a #1 option, while having never played more than half of a season in his NHL career.
Last season was a surprise as not only did Anthony Stolarz manage to take on the role as an NHL starter, but he did so while looking like one of the league's best, leading in SV% with .926 and having a promising 21-8-3 record in 34 games for Toronto.
If Stolarz can maintain his momentum, it may be a very promising sign that he's managed to finally become an NHL starter and despite his lack of starting experience having managed to overcome a longtime career as a backup.
Toronto will need Stolarz to prove a lot because historically the team in the past has not been so quick to give netminders the reins.
They've let good goalies in Jack Campbell and Ilya Samsonov walk and in both cases made the right choice. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Leafs are incredibly cautious in what Stolarz's extension could be, and if they go through sith it depending on the price.
Leafs Not Looking At Goalie Changes, Hart Not Considered
Also mentioned by Pagnotta in his article is that teams are interested in the potential of signing Carter Hart, and are monitoring the situation.
Despite a report made on the site HockeyBuzz linking Carter Hart and Toronto, a league source tells HockeyPatrol that the Leafs are not considering Hart as an option on their roster at this time.
Hart, who was acquitted on a single charge of sexual assault along with four former teammates in the 2018 Hockey Canada World Juniors trial, is still ineligible to return to the NHL pending an independent process by the league.
The signing of Hildeby and ongoing dialogue with Stolarz further indicate Toronto's interest in remaining with their current depth chart for the time being.
It's unclear if the eligibility factor has swayed Toronto's disinterest, but the main factor is Toronto's confidence in their current duo of Stolarz and Woll, and their young AHL tandem. Goaltending is not considered a need for the Leafs, at least right now.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, they're currently looking for Stolarz and Woll to be long term answers, with their trust in Hildeby and Akhtyamov motivations to keep at what they currently have.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 1316 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Star at the Center of Latest Contract Negotiations as Treliving Makes His Move Should the Toronto Maple Leafs sign Anthony Stolarz right away? | ||
| Yes | 1102 | 83.7 % |
| No | 214 | 16.3 % |
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