Unexpected Twist in Maple Leafs' Contract Discussions With Anthony Stolarz
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
With the discussion about Anthony Stolarz's future with the Maple Leafs, NHL Insider Darren Dreger revealed a potential twist that might end up speeding things up.
A lot of discussion the past few days has been the Anthony Stolarz contract situation. From what we've heard the two parties are currently negotiating terms and might be closer than we think, although as of now nothing concrete has materialized.
But while we anticipate that Stolarz will re-sign barring any unknown circumstances, it's going to unfortunately be a bit more of the waiting game; as is the theme for the Maple Leafs offseason this summer.
Anthony Stolarz Could Sign Sooner Than Expected: Dreger
However, a new report from NHL Insider Darren Dreger brings a new twist; that being we may actually not need to wait that long at all.
Appearing on TSN's Insider Trading, Dreger mentioned that Stolarz is more than likely to re-up with an extension and it could be done before the season even kicks off; something fans would love to see happen:
Again, no timeline here but I wouldn't be surprised if they get something done before the start of the year. But I wouldn't look beyond and say, 'Okay, if they don't get something done before the start of the season, is there a problem?'
Well, considering the start of the season is a mere three weeks away on the dot it doesn't give the team too much time but still that's 21 days to hash out a deal with Stolarz.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was confident in getting a deal done and told reporters at the opening of training camp that we could see something soon:
We're hopeful to get to a good outcome I'm confident, until proven otherwise, that we can find something that'll work.
Why Toronto Needs To Re-Sign Stolarz ASAP
Well besides the obvious, giving the team stable and reliable goaltending for the next few years; it's about trying to avoid alienating the veteran by playing the long-game.
We know that Toronto has a bad habit of either rushing a deal that backfires, or waiting too long and watching players leave.
It would set a precedent for the team that not only do they have someone who is committed to staying here after knowing the pressures being here brings, but one who may come at a bargain price.
If you re-sign Stolarz, that give you two reliable starters for the next three years, with a defensive core locked up even longer and only a small handful of mid-tier free agents to worry about next summer; which could lead to much bigger things down the line.
So as we wait and see what comes next for Anthony Stolarz and the Maple Leafs, all we can hope for is that this ends up done sooner than later; with Toronto feeling safer and Stolarz a whole lot richer.
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