Toronto Maple Leafs star goalie Anthony Stolarz walked back his comments, calling out his team.
After Toronto lost 4-3 to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, Stolarz called out the team’s effort in overtime and not protecting him after Mason Marchment ran him.
Now, after practice on Monday, Stolarz clarified his comments and said he spoke to William Nylander about it.
“We’ve had some discussions and we love each other,” said Stolarz. “It’s a family in here, and we’re looking to move on. I’m a vocal guy, I’m going to continue to be a vocal guy. I’m a competitor. It’s the reason I’ve gotten to this point in my career.”
Stolarz came from the Florida Panthers and was a part of their Stanley Cup win in 2024. So, the goalie knows what it takes to win, and he believes the Maple Leafs have all the talent to go on a deep run.
“We have those same intangibles, and that’s why I feel so passionately about everything, just because you see the similarities in both teams,” said Stolarz. “We’re on the cusp of doing great things, and that’s why I’m so passionate about it, because we’re right there. I feel like we can do it and go all the way.”
Stolarz signed a four-year, $15 million extension with the Maple Leafs before the season started, which kicks in next season.
William Nylander is ‘All Good’ With Stolarz
Although Stolarz was critical of Nylander’s play on Saturday, the star forward understands the callout.
Nylander spoke to reporters after practice and said he’s all good wiht Stolarz and the two chatted about it.
“It’s all good,” Nylander said. “Look, we’re teammates. He’s a great guy. There’s nothing that we need to, you know, talk about here. He talked to me after and it’s all good. It’s been no issue since.”
Stolarz, meanwhile, said he admires Nylander and knows how good he can be, which is why he called him out.
“He’s someone I admire and someone I respect deeply,” Stolarz said. “There’s a reason he’s been in this league for so long. He’s a hell of a player. He pushes me and I push him. You look at his offensive skill, he’s made me a better goalie just by facing him every day in practice.”
Despite Nylander not backchecking on the OT winner, the Swede has been dominant this season. Nylander has 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in 6 games this season.
Maple Leafs Coach Wishes Stolarz Kept It In The Room
Although Nylander was fine that Stolarz called him out, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube wished the goalie hadn’t gone to the media to complain.
Instead, Berube wished it had been handled in-house so it wasn’t in the public. But Berube said the issue has been dealt with and the team has moved on.
“Listen, it happens a lot,” Berube. “It’s happened over years and years. Players get frustrated and sometimes they say things that they [should] just keep in the room. That’s all. But it’s over with.”
The Maple Leafs will host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
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