The Toronto Maple Leafs can be excused for feeling like they may have enjoyed a better fate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs had starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz not been injured after an inadvertent collision with his former Florida Panthers teammate Sam Bennett.
In the opening game of the Eastern Conference Semifinal, Bennett’s elbow made contact with the side of Stolarz’s head, and he left the game. Even more worrying were the reports that soon surfaced that Stolarz was vomiting and had to leave the arena on a stretcher.
Joseph Woll replaced Stolarz in the net for the rest of the series, which the Panthers ultimately took in seven games en route to their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory.
Anthony Stolarz Has One Season Left on His Contract, but Extension Negotiations Have Reportedly Begun
According to a report from NHL Insider David Pagnotta, an Insider with The Fourth Period, the Maple Leafs have begun discussions with Stolarz’s representation regarding a contract extension.
“In Toronto, after going the summer without negotiating, sources tell me the Maple Leafs have now started contract extension discussions with goaltender Anthony Stolarz,” Pagnotta wrote.
Last offseason, Stolarz was signed by the Maple Leafs to a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $2.5 million in each season. At the time, Stolarz was only weeks removed from serving as the backup to Panthers starter Sergei Bobrovsky in the 2023-24 season, one that culminated in Florida’s first Stanley Cup win.
In his first season in Toronto, Stolarz impressed by amassing a solid 21-8-3 record, along with a 2.14 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage, and four shutouts.
He would also help the Maple Leafs secure just their second postseason series victory in 21 years with their opening round victory against the provincial rival Ottawa Senators in six games. Stolarz was equally effective in the playoffs, posting a 2.19 goals-against average.
The Edison, New Jersey native began his NHL career after being selected 45th overall in 2012 by the Philadelphia Flyers, where he would play until being traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Cam Talbot. His time in Edmonton was short, as he would sign a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks that offseason.
After several years with the Ducks organization, which also included time with the American Hockey League affiliate San Diego Gulls, Stolarz signed with the Panthers for the 2023-24 season and came away with his first Stanley Cup ring.
So far in his NHL career, Stolarz has posted a record of 64-39-12, along with a postseason record of 4-2.
