As the Toronto Maple Leafs navigate the early stages of the 2025-26 season, questions are beginning to surface regarding the team's goaltending depth, potentially making one of their netminders a surprise trade candidate. While Joseph Woll has solidified himself as the team's starting goaltender, the situation behind him is less clear, with several factors contributing to the possibility of a trade.
The most immediate concern is the health of veteran Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz has been sidelined for weeks with an injury, and the team has yet to receive a clear timeline for his return. This uncertainty puts pressure on Woll, who has already been carrying a heavy workload, and also impacts the development of rookie Dennis Hildeby.
Hildeby, a 22-year-old prospect, has shown promise in his limited NHL appearances, including a recent win against the Pittsburgh Penguins where he stopped 33 of 35 shots. However, the Maple Leafs recognize that he still benefits from consistent playing time, which is hard to come by as Woll's backup in the NHL. The team may prefer Hildeby to play significant minutes with the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, to further hone his skills.
With Stolarz's injury and Hildeby's need for consistent playing time, the Maple Leafs may look to acquire a more experienced backup goaltender to provide stability behind Woll. This could make Stolarz, who is in the final year of his contract before a four-year extension kicks in, a potential trade chip.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly made goaltender Laurent Brossoit available via trade. Brossoit, a 32-year-old veteran, has a proven track record as a reliable backup, including a stellar 2023-24 season with the Winnipeg Jets where he posted a .927 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average.
Brossoit's availability presents an intriguing option for the Maple Leafs. However, acquiring him would likely require the team to move a player off their current roster to create salary cap space. This is where Stolarz could become a valuable trade asset.
Trading Stolarz would allow the Maple Leafs to acquire Brossoit or another experienced backup while also opening up playing time for Hildeby in the AHL. It's a complex equation with several factors at play. General Manager Brad Treliving must weigh the short-term need for a reliable backup against the long-term development of Hildeby and the potential return they could receive in a trade for Stolarz.
The Maple Leafs are reportedly looking to make "roster for roster" type of moves. Other players who could be on the move include defenseman Brandon Carlo.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to trade a goaltender will depend on Stolarz's recovery timeline, Hildeby's continued development, and the availability of other goaltending options around the league. However, the confluence of these factors has created a situation where a Maple Leafs goaltender could unexpectedly find himself on the trade market.
