A Maple Leafs goalie is popping up in trade discussions
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation has become uncertain about their long-term outlook.
The goaltending battle for the Toronto Maple Leafs is starting to become an uncertainty as Anthony Stolarz's future may be hanging in the balance.
Speaking on the Leafs goaltending situation, Elliotte Friedman discussed the status of the Leafs options in net, and considered the possibility on Stolarz ending up being moved out by Toronto.
Stolarz, to me, is an interesting one. This is a guy who just extended a few months ago. I'm curious about the fact that they are already looking to trade him. If they're worried about him physically, that's one thing, but a year ago, him and Woll were the second-best goalies in the league. - Elliotte Friedman
Expected to be the Toronto Maple Leafs tandem going forward along with Joseph Woll, Stolarz has underperformed this season with a 3.55 GAA and a .882SV% in 16 games this season.
A steep drop off from a dominant season in 2024-25 in which Stolarz had a 2.14 GAA and a .926SV% in 34 games for Toronto, questions have emerged over his long-term job security.
How Dennis Hildeby has made Anthony Stolarz expendable
Adding more questions to Stolarz's future is Dennis Hildeby. After being called up from the AHL following injuries to Stolarz and Woll, Hildeby delivered in net with a 2.84GAA and a .912SV% in 19 games for the Leafs.
Potentially accelerating his timeline to the NHL, the 24-year-old Hildeby could force one of Stolarz and Woll out of the picture, and Stolarz a sudden potential exit.
Appearing last season to be the Leafs answer in net after a rotation of starters over the last few seasons, suddenly, Stolarz himself now finds uncertainty about if he'll remain in Toronto.
Hildeby also complicates things further after showing that he can be an NHL netminder. While Hildeby, or Woll, could be the one on the move, it's Stolarz the one underperforming of the three.
It's unlikely that Hildeby will be in the NHL beyond this season, and shouldn't be, but unless the Leafsare 100% sure, Anthony Stolarz has gone from an answer to a question in the crease as Toronto's #1.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 5|1168 ANSWERS A Maple Leafs goalie is popping up in trade discussions Who should the Leafs trade out of the three? | ||
| Anthony Stolarz | 931 | 79.7 % |
| Joseph Woll | 136 | 11.6 % |
| Dennis Hildeby | 101 | 8.6 % |
| List of polls | ||