Anthony Stolarz: The Maple Leafs' Unexpected Number One Goalie
Toronto planned to have both goalies share the net, but an early injury to Joseph Woll before the season forced the Maple Leafs to adjust, giving Anthony Stolarz the starting role for the first game. He has not looked back since.
Stolarz has had quite a journey to the NHL. The Edison, New Jersey native showed high potential when he was drafted, selected in the second round, 45th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers. Injuries derailed him early in his career, but he worked hard to return to the NHL. After spending four years in the Anaheim Ducks organization, he became an NHL regular in the 2021-22 season, posting a 12-8-3 record. In the 2022-23 season with the Ducks, he went 5-6-0. Stolarz then signed a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers to back up Sergei Bobrovsky. He recorded a 16-7-2 record with a 2.03 GAA and a .925 save percentage, helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup.
This past offseason, Toronto signed Stolarz to a two-year contract, and he has exceeded expectations. In nine games this season, Stolarz is 5-2-2 with a 2.12 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He is tied for eighth in wins, fifth in goals-against average, fourth in save percentage, and fourth in shutouts.
Stolarz has been a massive help to the Maple Leafs penalty kill by making timely saves when needed. He is one of the reasons why Toronto's penalty kill is sixth in the NHL.
With his strong start to the season, Stolarz has proven himself to be a legitimate NHL number-one goalie. Toronto has not had an actual number one since Curtis Joseph, Ed Belfour, or Frederik Andersen. Stolarz's poise and excellent positioning when reading plays make him a dependable presence in the net. If he can continue this strong performance, the Maple Leafs may have found their starting goaltender for the next several years.
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