The Toronto Maple Leafs head into the 2025-26 with a solid goaltending tandem. Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll look poised to build on last season’s numbers and, hopefully, lead the club to a much-desired Stanley Cup appearance.
Woll is locked up for the next three seasons. His extension begins this season. However, Stolarz is entering the final year of his current deal. That’s somewhat of a concern. Stolarz proved himself to be the Maple Leafs’ number-one goalie last season.
That’s why, according to insider Kevin Weekes, the Maple Leafs are doing everything they can to extend Stolarz. As Weekes tweeted, the Leafs and Stolarz’s camp are “leaving no stone unturned” to get an extension done.
The encouraging news means the Leafs have no risk of losing their top goalie. While the sides appear close to getting a deal in place, one is not imminent. However, extending Stolarz before the start of the season would be a major coup for GM Brad Treliving.
Removing one potential source of distractions could be a major boost to the Leafs’ lineup this season. With several newcomers hitting the ice for this season, focusing on team chemistry is among the most important aspects of the Maple Leafs’ success.
So, eliminating any uncertainty regarding the goaltending position is just the thing the club needs to focus on the business of finally bringing home a Stanley Cup.
Looking at Anthony Stolarz’s numbers in 2024-25
One of Weekes’ main points was Stolarz’s stellar metrics. It’s worth pointing out that throughout last season, the Maple Leafs’ goalie was in the midst of the Vezina Trophy conversation. Had he not missed about a month due to a knee injury, he would have gotten serious consideration.
Stolarz posted a 2.14 GAA in 34 games, good enough for third in the NHL. He ranked behind the Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck and the LA Kings’ Darcy Kuemper. Hellebuyck and Kuemper had insane GAA at 2.01 and 2.02, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs netminder had a .926 SV%, tops in the NHL. Stolarz ranked above Hellebuyck and Kuemper. Hellebuyck won the Vezina while Kuemper was a finalist. It’s safe to assume that a full season from Stolarz, say, 50 games or so, with such numbers, could have been enough to lock up a Vezina nomination.
This upcoming season, an improved Maple Leafs defense in front of Stolarz could be enough to help the 31-year-old maintain his top-tier numbers.
Maple Leafs Could Pay Top Dollar for Stolarz on Short-Term Deal
Stolarz is 31 this season. His age raises some concerns about how long the Maple Leafs might be willing to sign him for. A safe bet could be a short-term deal, something around three to four years.
Considering a short-term deal, the Maple Leafs may have to pay a bit more. Perhaps an AAV of around $5 million or more could keep Stolarz in the fold. A longer deal, for instance, five years or more, could bring Stolarz’s AAV down.
However, it could be a risk for the Maple Leafs to extend Stolarz into his late 30s. But then again, it would be a calculated risk considering the potential explosion of the salary cap. If that’s the club’s outlook, it can afford to kick the can down the road on Stolarz in order to keep him in the fold at a more affordable rate.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Maple Leafs Close to Extending Key Roster Piece: Rumor appeared first on Heavy Sports.