The Maple Leafs can solve their Stolarz problem and get a second round pick by making one phone call

A lot of talk this year has been surrounding the health and future of Anthony Stolarz. While he's fantastic when he can stay on the ice, there are too many things that end up keeping him away be it concussions, knee injuries, or his own teammate taking him out.

He's signed for four more seasons to go after inking a big extension, so making sure that he is actually able to play is of the utmost priority, but if the team gets more performances like this past season where he's not only unhealthy but struggling; it might be a sign to move on.

Well, they could certainly get ahead of the curve if they decided to deal Stolarz away now and honestly, there are a few very good reasons why Toronto's new GM should really think about it.

First off is that contract. While it's not super expensive at $3.75-million per season, that's a lot to pay for a guy who maybe plays 15-20 games, and is already 32 years old. If he were 26 and had these issues it would be easier to stomach knowing he still has a few solid years left.

But not everyone is Sergei Bobrovsky, so sticking around at an elite level is a tough task especially for a guy always hurt. That money could be better used towards improving the blueline and bringing in guys who make the goaltender's lives easier and genuinely give Toronto a boost.

They have more than enough pieces to replace Stolarz too, as both Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov can both be NHL-level goalies though the former has an edge over the latter. Hildeby has already proven he can hang with the big leagues, and there's no better time to bring him in — especially if he wins a Calder Cup.

Finally you have those aforementioned injury issues. So far we've seen him miss months combined with a concussion, knee surgery, a throat injury, an unidentified lower-body injury, and various illnesses and his career history doesn't bode well for the future.

So it then becomes a matter of what to get back and where to send Stolarz too and no place gives him the best chance at success than New Jersey.

Sure there are many other teams who would love to get their hands on him but with both Jake Allen and Jakob Markstrom both older and just as injury prone; Stolarz allows them to move on and get a bit more sable and a bit younger.

But Toronto needs draft capital if they really want to maximize the return and the Devils can afford to give up a pick to stabilize their goaltending and new GM Sunny Mehta would surely love to make a splash already.

Getting wither the Devils' 2026 or 2027 second-round pick would be perfect, because Stolarz is still a top goalie when healthy and still very cheap compared to other names — so it warrants that price.

Plus giving him a shot to play in his own hometown is a great incentive that may also motivate him to stay healthy because who wouldn't wanna win a Cup with the team they grew up watching?

You're not asking for too much, and if New Jersey really feels like they need a sweetener, then Maple Leafs have more than enough young prospects who are on the fringe of making it and dangle them too (they just can't get too carried away).

So for Anthony Stolarz, his best season in Toronto may already be behind him and the best way to get rid of the risk he brings is to get rid of him once and for all.

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