New update on Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz gives us an idea of his potential return to the lineup
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According to TSN's Chris Johnston, we have a little bit of a clearer timeline for Anthony Stolarz however don't expect him back anytime soon.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been injured for nearly two months and while he has been taking the ice sporadically over the last week, there's still no timeline for his return.
He would certainly add a boost to the goaltending tandem of Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby and create a three-headed monster in net for the Maple Leafs but he needs to actually get back into shape first.
Taking the ice is great, but it doesn't give us any indication of when he could come back but a new report from Chris Johnston at least tries to give some clarity.
Anthony Stolarz return timeline expected after Olympics
Speaking on TSN's First Up, Johnston explained that Stolarz's projected timeline is still up in the air, and mentioned that fans shouldn't expect to see him until after February hits.
More specifically, when the Olympic break ends:
Though [Stolarz] has been skating, it's one of those ones that's so far down the road that maybe there isn't a clear top line. We just don't know yet.
However, given there's the Olympic break coming up, there's certainly a scenario where you don't see him before then.
However, given there's the Olympic break coming up, there's certainly a scenario where you don't see him before then.
That would be a rough go for the Maple Leafs knowing they aren't going to have Stolarz for at least another month, and then there's only a handful of games left in the season for him to get get acclimated again while also under immense pressure to succeed.
Stolarz struggled this season, going 6-5-1 with a 3.51 GAA and .884 SV% which is a huge contrast to his stellar season last year where he went 21-8-3 with a 2.14 GAA and .926 SV%.
Toronto's goaltending situation becomes clearer for now
Right now, the team is going to have to hope both Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby cannot only steer the ship, but also keep themselves healthy. Woll has injury issues of his own, and while Hildeby has stayed healthy, it's still a small sample size for what he can bring.
Meanwhile, Stolarz has struggled to stay healthy throughout his short Maple Leafs tenure. He missed a month in December last year, was knocked out of the playoffs with a concussion, then suffered this injury a month into the season.
For as good as he has been, he's been unable to handle a heavy workload which is not great considering that his partner is susceptible to injury; if he goes down then what? Do you force Hildeby into being the #1 and managing Stolarz, or hope the veteran can stay healthy as long as Woll is out?
There's certainly a positive vibe knowing that Stolarz does have the ability to return at some point this season, but it's still going to be at least a month and a half before we may see him take the ice full-time.
But is it going to be too little, too late by then?