Anthony Stolarz Set to Overtake Joseph Woll for the Top Goalie Spot
The anticipation around Joseph Woll this season after his breakout playoff performance was huge, but it seems his #1 spot is in jeopardy thanks to Anthony Stolarz.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Joseph Woll to an extension, they pictured him as their netminder of the future, entrusting him to help guide the Maple Leafs toward their first Stanley Cup in 56 years. While he was impressive in the playoffs last year, Woll has yet to play this season due to injury and there's currently no word on when he is going to return.
So the Maple Leafs took one look at their elite backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz and gave him the go-ahead. He's been solid and kept Toronto in games even if the score doesn't necessarily show it.
Standing at 6'6, 243 pounds, Stolarz is a titan in net and intimidates his opponents while showing incredible poise and calmness even in stressful scenarios. Stolarz can be trusted to lead a team, having done so while splitting duties with Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky last season. Registering a 16-7-2 record with a 2.03 GAA and .925 SV%, Stolarz showed he not only belonged in the NHL but could be a reliable starter for a team if they needed it. Well, Toronto needs him more than ever.
Toronto has a wealth of youthful goalies in their system, some with professional experience outside of North America however the only one with any real NHL experience is Matt Murray, who can be depended on for emergencies and used as more of a veteran leader for the Marlies goaltenders.
Signing Stolarz in the summer could be the most important decision GM Brad Treliving made, and if Stolarz can patrol the net as well as he has, even breaking out at some point; Toronto can be even more dangerous.
But in doing so, Woll's in danger too. Danger of losing all of the momentum he gained from last season. Often injured, Woll hasn't had the fortune of being able to stay healthy long enough to have a long run as a starter, and given he hasn't played a minute this year, who knows how ready he'll be once back.
Joseph Woll came into the season with all the hype and anticipation of any young future goaltender, but with his inability to stay healthy plus the emergence of Stolarz as a capable #1 starter, it could be over for Woll just as quickly as it began.
| POLL | ||
Should Anthony Stolarz take over Joseph Woll's spot as the #1 starter for the Maple Leafs? | ||
