The Toronto Maple Leafs don't have a goaltending controversy, at least not in the starting lineup. This is Anthony Stolarz's place.
Stolarz signed a two-year, $5 million contract — a $2.5 million bonus — with the Maple Leafs at the start of the season. He was supposed to be the backup to Joseph Woll, who signed a three-year, $10.98 million deal – $3.66 billion in salary.
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However, Woll's injury concerns, a problem last season, have resurfaced for the start of the 2024-25 season. Remember, last year, Woll did not play in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins in Round 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ilya Samsonov, now with the Vegas Golden Knights, started the game.
Woll was supposed to be ready to open the night against the Montreal Canadiens but he wasn't; so, Anthony Stolarz became the starter. He plays well for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
For years, the Maple Leafs have struggled with scoring and defense. That has changed in recent years. So far this season with Stolarz, the position seems solid.
Everyone wants to talk about what Stolarz did for the Florida Panthers last season when he backed up Sergei Bobrovsky to win the Stanley Cup. Stolarz had a 2.03 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. These were among the best NHL forwards, as he played 27 games.
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These numbers should come as no surprise to those who have followed Stolarz since his days with the Philadelphia Flyers. Stolarz put up solid numbers as a backup goaltender, especially in his first season, posting a 2.07 GAA and a .928 save percentage.
There were many in the Philadelphia area who were clamoring for Stolarz to play more. He couldn't get in with Michael Neuvirth, Brian Elliott, and Carter Hart on the show. So, there were signs that Stlarz could be this good.
He didn't play much over the next few seasons, mostly with the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks. Once again, when he hit the net, his numbers were top notch.
However, in his third season in Anaheim, the number of games played began to increase, as he recorded a 2.67 GAA and a .917 save percentage. While his last season in Anaheim dipped below a .900 save percentage, the Ducks were a bad team, and he kept them in a lot of games.
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Anthony Stolarz has a 3-2 record, 1.83 GAA, and a .938 save percentage in a small sample size with the Maple Leafs. In Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Maple Leafs are up 5-1, Stolarz stopped the Lightning in the second half, making several saves “in a very dangerous area.”
According to MoneyPuck, Stolarz has been one of the best goaltenders in the NHL so far this season. His improved stats continue to back up his play from last season while with the Panthers.
Jackson, a New Jersey native and second round pick (45th overall) from the 2012 NHL Draft took time to find his game in the NHL, but he learned from one of the best scorers in the NHL and won. He is a proven winner and brings stability to a position the Maple Leafs have lacked in the past.
The Maple Leafs trust Anthony Stolarz, which is why he is the starting goaltender, even though Joseph Woll is ready to return from injury.
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