Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz's name has surfaced in recent trade speculation as the March trade deadline approaches. The 31-year-old netminder's position in Toronto has become a topic of discussion, especially with his return from an upper-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup since November 11th.
Stolarz, who will turn 32 on January 20, is in the second year of a two-year, $5 million contract with the Maple Leafs. Last offseason, he signed a four-year, $15 million contract extension with an average annual value of $3.75 million, set to begin in the 2026-27 season and run through July 2030.
Adding to the intrigue, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos suggested that if Stolarz returns to full health and demonstrates strong performance, the Maple Leafs might consider trading him before the deadline. This speculation arises despite Stolarz's less-than-stellar .884 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average in 13 appearances this season before his injury. However, it's worth noting that Stolarz had an exceptional previous season, leading the NHL with a .926 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average.
The Maple Leafs currently have a solid goaltending tandem in Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby. Woll is making $3.67 million per season, while Hildeby is on a $841K contract and is waivers exempt. With Stolarz's impending return, the Leafs have a surplus of goaltending options, making him a potential trade asset. Head coach Craig Berube has indicated that Stolarz is "getting pretty close" to returning, with a possibility of playing before the Olympic break in February.
Several teams could be interested in acquiring Stolarz, who won the Stanley Cup in 2024 with the Florida Panthers. However, he also possesses a 16-team no-trade list for this season. While some believe trading Stolarz would be a mistake, considering the volatility of goaltending situations, others see it as an opportunity to leverage the Leafs' depth to acquire a scoring winger or defenseman. Potential trade partners and the possible return for Stolarz remain unclear, but the coming weeks will likely see increased speculation as the trade deadline draws nearer.
