Insider Drops Important Update Regarding Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarz

There were a lot of question marks thrown towards the Toronto Maple Leafs when they signed goaltender Anthony Stolarz as a free agent in the summer of 2024. Combined with Joseph Woll, it was a very inexperienced tandem, and many were wondering how they would fare.

It's safe to say they both hit it out of the park as the duo provided the Maple Leafs with their steadiest goaltending performance in recent years. Stolarz in particular was very good and for his efforts he led the league in save percentage for the second year in a row.

With a contract year looming, it's important for the Leafs to try to get him signed before it becomes a distraction, and according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period those conversations have begun.

The Maple Leafs are projected to have just under $25 million in projected cap space for the summer of 2026, which means they shouldn't have any financial hurdles to climb when it comes to signing Stolarz.

Figuring out his worth is a different story and trying to find a happy medium for both player and team will be integral this year. His current $2.5 million AAV has him near the bottom compared to his counterparts but an extension should see that number rise anywhere between $5.5 and $6.5 million.

Within that range, you will find goaltenders like Logan Thompson, Jacob Markstrom, Adin Hill, Jordan Binnington, and Lukas Dostal, all of whom are expected be their team's starting netminders in 2025-26 and are good comparables for Stolarz.

The Maple Leafs understand his worth and it doesn't seem like negotiations should take too long to hash out. However in saying that, there could be some hesitancy is going on a long-term route due his short body of work.

Nevertheless, expect big things from the 31-year-old as he looks to improve on his 21-8-3 record in 33 starts that also saw him post a .926 SV% and a 2.14 GAA. He could have a leg up to start the season opener, and barring injuries, we should see him go well beyond his career-high of 34 games played.