Anthony Stolarz and the Toronto Maple Leafs have begun negotiations for a contract extension, with the veteran goaltender seeking a deal that reflects his value and contribution to the team. General Manager Brad Treliving confirmed that discussions have been ongoing for some time, with both sides exploring various options. However, as of September 12th, no progress had been made, though both parties remain committed to finding a resolution.

Stolarz is entering the final year of his current two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million. After a career year with the Maple Leafs, the 31-year-old is due for a significant raise. In 34 games last season, Stolarz posted a 21-8-3 record with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage, also recording four shutouts. His performance placed him among the league's top goaltenders and made him a reliable starter for Toronto.

When asked about his priorities for the upcoming deal, Stolarz emphasized the importance of being "paid fairly," while also ensuring the contract "helps the team" and "shows they believe in me". He and Joseph Woll are expected to form a tandem in net this season, and both are considered promising goalies.

Stolarz's strong play last season has solidified his position as a key player for the Maple Leafs. Among goalies with at least 15 appearances, he led the league in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes, with a mark of 0.779. Despite his success, Stolarz has a limited track record as a starter, having never started more than 25 games in a season before joining the Leafs. His lack of consistent ice time has been partly due to his injury history.

AFP Analytics projects a two-year extension for Stolarz at just over $4.25 million per season. Other projections suggest his next contract could land in the $5–6 million annual range, depending on the term and his performance this year. A four-year deal worth around $24 million would reflect his recent success and Toronto’s long-term vision in net.

The Maple Leafs have already invested in their goaltending future by signing Joseph Woll to a three-year, $11 million extension. Woll's contract, which carries a $3.67 million cap hit, runs through the 2027-28 season. Given Stolarz's injury history, the team may prefer a three-year extension to stagger the expiry of his and Woll's contracts.

Stolarz's agent and the Maple Leafs' management will need to consider several factors when negotiating the extension, including his desire for fair compensation, the team's salary cap situation, and the performance of both Stolarz and Woll this season.