The Toronto Maple Leafs have a good one-two punch in net, but could look to add another veteran goalie.
Toronto has brought in a veteran goalie to be their third-stringer over the past couple of years, from Martin Jones to Matt Murray. But Murray left in free agency, leaving Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll as their two goalies.
Yet, given that both Stolarz and Woll have battled injuries in their career, bringing in a veteran goalie makes sense. NHL analyst Jeremy Tingly of NHLTradeRumors believes the Maple Leafs should look to bring back James Reimer to serve as the third-string goalie.
“As far as potential landing spots go, the Toronto Maple Leafs are likely in the market for a veteran number three option… It won’t cost much to get Reimer to sign. Likely the league minimum gets it done in the right situation,” Tingly wrote. “He’s not likely interested in signing on somewhere unless there’s a legitimate shot he’d play NHL minutes at some point next season.”
Reimer was drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2006 and spent parts of six seasons in the NHL with Toronto. Reimer was a fan-favorite in Toronto. So Maple Leafs fans would likely love to have him back as the third goalie and add some insurance behind Stolarz and Woll.
The 37-year-old played with the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres last season, going 10-10-2 with a 3.04 GAA and a .897 SV%. In his NHL career, he’s played in 525 games with a 2.89 GAA and a .910 SV%.
Reimer Enjoyed Playing for the Maple Leafs
With Reimer still being unsigned, he very well may have to sign to be a team’s third goalie and play in the AHL next season.
If that is the case, Reimer going back to the Maple Leafs does make sense. The veteran goalie played in his 500th career game in Toronto in April 2024. After the game, he reflected on his time with the Maple Leafs.
“This is where I was drafted and where I came up. So many special memories, and I owe so much to this organization. It was fun to do it. Full circle, in the barn where I came up makes it pretty special,” Reimer said back in 2024.
Reimer helped the Maple Leafs reach the playoffs in 2013, but Toronto lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins.
Reimer would also be a veteran mentor for Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov in the AHL.
Stolarz Likely the Starter for Maple Leafs
Toronto has Stolarz and Woll back under contract next season, and Stolarz figures to be the starting goalie for the Maple Leafs.
Stolarz took over as the starter down the stretch and in the playoffs. But he suffered a concussion, which ended his season.
“I have taken a lot of pucks off my helmet in my career and felt fine,’’ Stolarz said. “The way I felt after that, I think it was another 45 minutes and I didn’t feel anything. It was after that incident that started feeling the symptoms.’’
Ultimately, both Stolarz and Woll have been injury-prone in their career. But Stolarz likely will get the bulk of the starts next season.
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