Anthony Stolarz deal doesn’t end Maple Leafs’ goalie issues

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The four-year deal Anthony Stolarz signed on the weekend might stabilize the position long-term as GM Brad Treliving hopes, but the 2025-26 Maple Leafs still have blue paint question marks.

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But at the same time Treliving commented Monday on the Stolarz extension, he had nothing report on a return date for Joseph Woll, leaving the tandem role up for grabs for now between rookie Dennis Hildeby and veteran James Reimer — and Reimer wasn’t on the bus with Stolarz and Hildeby as the team drove off for its three-day Muskoka getaway, remaining behind with the Marlies’ group as he begins his first full week on a professional tryout contract.

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“You can never have too much depth at the position,” Treliving said of adding Reimer late last week. “With Joe’s situation (he was granted a personal leave of absence last week without further details) and no timeline there, I wanted to make sure we had options.”

The 37-year-old Reimer returned to the Leafs after nine years and various NHL stops, but a clearer picture won’t emerge until he gets in a game, possibly one of the remaining exhibitions against Detroit later this week.

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Though Stolarz earned the playoff starting job last season, Woll finished up when the 31-year-old veteran was hurt in the second-round series against Florida.

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Stolarz earlier missed a chunk of mid-season with minor knee surgery and, while he could have a good run this year, Treliving is thinking about load management, too. Stolarz had not appeared in more than 34 games before last season.

“Anthony hasn’t played 50 games, but we’re set up so you don’t necessarily need to have that. We think the depth we have at the position gives us good goaltending every night,” Treliving said. “We saw that last year, at different times both (Stolarz and Woll) carried the ball. That’s what I anticipate this year. Both are capable of being ‘the guy,’ but we’re set up by committee.”

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The new Stolarz deal kicks in next season, carrying an AAV of $3.75 million US.

“The number was good for us and it gives Anthony security,” the GM added, as Stolarz had operated on tenuous one- and two-year deals through his career.

“I also like how it sets us up organizationally. We’ve seen Dennis and (though) there’s been talk about a veteran third guy around, at some point you have to let these guys go a bit. Dennis, Double A (Artur Akhtyamov) and (Slava) Peksa have had good camps.”

Treliving cited Reimer’s six years as a Leaf and his comfort in the Toronto spotlight as part of the reason he was granted a tryout. Reimer’s .910 save percentage and decent record with some non-playoff teams also is a good sign there’s something left in the tank.

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“At his age and experience, I think we know who James is. We’ll take the next couple of days to let him get his feet under him.”

Stolarz, who won a Stanley Cup with Florida in 2024 as Sergei Bobrovsky’s back-up, was accorded the honour of leading Monday’s post-practice centre-ice stretch, usually team captain Auston Matthews’ duty.

“He means a lot to us,” Matthews said. “He’ll do whatever it takes to win, a guy you want to block shots for and make it easier on him. You appreciate him being in your corner.

“He’s laid-back off the ice, but once he gets on the ice, he’s a fighter, he likes to battle for position in his net.”

New Jersey native Stolarz was grateful he could set up permanent roots in Toronto for his wife and young son. At the end of the season, he started noticing Scotiabank Arena fans wearing his No. 41 sweater.

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“It makes you feel wanted, you look at this group and it’s a tight-knit core,” he said. “There are no cliques, everyone gets along, you can go to dinner with anyone.

“It will be nice to go ‘home.’”

Stolarz admitted he and his agent had discussed playing out his contract this year and examining the UFA market in 2026, but felt the Leafs showed faith with their initial two-year deal at $2.5 million. With the extended pact, Stolarz hinted he’ll look into something of a charitable foundation nature.

‘You want to give back to the community and the fans are a huge part. You go out to dinner, walk up and down the street and get recognized, it’s pretty special.

“It’s one of the reasons I stayed.”

lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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