Maple Leafs Grinding Hard to Finalize New Deal With Anthony Stolarz

Despite injury issues that limited Anthony Stolarz to just 34 games last season, the former second-round pick did what the Leafs had hoped he would do in helping solidify the Leafs' crease, along with Joseph Woll.

In his 34 games, the New Jersey native collected a 21-8-3 record and ranked third in save percentage (2.14 GAA) and first in save percentage (.926) among goalies with 30 or more games played last season.

Entering the final year of his 2-year deal, the debate all summer has been whether or not the Leafs should sign him to an extension before the season, or wait to see if he can replicate last season's performance.

While there are plenty of detractors to signing him to a big money deal based on one year's worth of work, Leafs GM Brad Treliving shared at the end of August that the two sides have engaged in discussions and hope to hammer something out.

On Monday's '32Thoughts' podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested that the three-year term that Spencer Knight got with the Chicago Blackhawks would be an ideal term for Stolarz in Toronto. Money, however, is a different story.

Later on Monday afternoon, TSN's Chris Johnston confirmed Friedman's suggestion on the latest edition of The Chris Johnston Show, revealing two options in terms of extension length.

A three or four-year deal appears ideal for both sides as it gives the Leafs years of stability in goal, but doesn't force them to commit to an aging goaltender for a substantial amount of time, and it allows Stolarz to finally get some financial security -- something the oft-injured goaltender has likely wanted for some time.