Anthony Stolarz and the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly close to finalizing a significant contract extension that will keep the goaltender in Toronto for the foreseeable future. According to multiple reports, the deal is expected to be a four-year contract with an annual value of around $4 million.
The news of Stolarz's impending extension comes as the Maple Leafs were looking to solidify their goaltending situation. With the regular season approaching next month, both sides were motivated to finalize the agreement. The deal will give Stolarz, who is currently signed to a two-year, $5 million contract with a $2.5 million cap hit per season, more stability. His current contract is set to expire after the 2025-26 season, making him eligible for unrestricted free agency.
NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Weekes have both reported on the progress of the negotiations, indicating that a four-year term was on the table. Friedman initially mentioned the potential extension during a broadcast, tweeting that he was "hearing Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarz are moving towards an extension" and that the deal would be "in the approximately $4M-range". Weekes corroborated this information, adding that the contract term was expected to be four years.
Stolarz is coming off a strong 2024–25 season with the Maple Leafs, where he posted a 21-8-3 record, a 2.14 goals-against average, and a league-leading .926 save percentage. He also started the first seven playoff games for Toronto, winning four and losing three, before an injury in the second round against Florida sidelined him.
Prior to joining Toronto, Stolarz was part of a Stanley Cup-winning team with Florida, serving as a backup. Throughout his career, Stolarz has faced the challenges of establishing himself in the NHL, experiencing waivers and trades. The stability of a longer-term contract with the Maple Leafs offers him the opportunity to settle in and call Toronto home for an extended period. Stolarz himself acknowledged the importance of feeling wanted by a team, stating, "It's tough to make it but it's even tougher to stay...I've obviously learned that throughout my career...so for me to be able to potentially call a place home for more than a year or two would be huge for me".
Locking down Stolarz became a priority for the Leafs, especially considering Joseph Woll is stepping away from the team for personal reasons. Securing Stolarz and Woll would allow the Leafs to secure their goaltending tandem for the coming years for under $8 million annually. As the salary cap continues to rise, this represents a fantastic piece of business for the organization's future.
