The Maple Leafs are getting a key piece back in the crease tonight. Head coach Craig Berube confirmed that veteran goaltender Anthony Stolarz will be activated from long-term injured reserve ahead of Toronto’s matchup with the Golden Knights, marking his first start in over two months. To make room, the Leafs have reassigned Dennis Hildeby to AHL Toronto-but they’re still one player over the roster limit after recalling defenseman Henry Thrun earlier today, so another move is likely coming.
This is a pivotal stretch for Stolarz. The final 32 games of the regular season offer him a shot at redemption after a rocky start to the year.
He entered training camp as the Leafs’ undisputed No. 1 for the first time in his career, fresh off signing a four-year, $15 million extension-a deal that felt earned after he helped Toronto snap its playoff series drought last spring and finished fifth in Vezina Trophy voting. His .926 save percentage across 33 starts led the league, and his calm, technically sound presence in net became a cornerstone for a Leafs team that finally looked ready to take the next step.
But this season hasn’t followed the same script.
With Joseph Woll unavailable to start the year due to personal leave, the Leafs leaned heavily on Stolarz early-and the workload took its toll. In 13 starts, he posted a .884 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average, the worst stretch of his NHL career. Despite a 6-5-1 record, bolstered by Toronto’s offensive firepower, his -8.3 goals saved above expected told the real story: this was a goaltender struggling to find his rhythm in a high-pressure role.
Injuries have always been part of the narrative with the 32-year-old. Over the past four seasons, he’s averaged just 23 starts per year.
His latest setback, an upper-body injury, kept him sidelined for weeks. He recently joined the AHL’s Marlies on a conditioning stint, though he didn’t see game action-just practice reps to get back up to speed.
Now, with Woll back and healthy, the Leafs can return to a more balanced tandem in goal. Woll has held his own this season, putting up a .911 save percentage and two shutouts in 21 appearances.
But even with those solid numbers, his goals saved above expected sits at just 0.6, per MoneyPuck. The underlying metrics suggest there’s still room for growth.
The odd man out in this shuffle is Hildeby, and that’s where things get interesting.
The 24-year-old rookie has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the Leafs’ season. Drafted in the fourth round back in 2022, Hildeby stepped into the NHL spotlight earlier than expected due to injuries to both Stolarz and Woll.
Not only did he hold his own-he thrived. His .910 save percentage and 2.90 GAA over 19 appearances are impressive on their own, but the advanced metrics paint an even clearer picture.
With 8.9 goals saved above expected, Hildeby has arguably been the Leafs’ most effective netminder this season, outperforming both veterans when you account for defensive context.
Still, with a full roster and Hildeby’s waiver-exempt status, the Leafs didn’t have the flexibility to carry three goalies. If there were no roster limits, they might have tried to keep all three around. But for now, Hildeby heads back to the AHL, likely waiting for his next shot, which may not come until the trade deadline opens up more roster flexibility.
Make no mistake-this next stretch is about more than just wins and losses for Stolarz. With Hildeby proving he’s NHL-ready and carrying a far more affordable cap hit, the Leafs could face a tough decision this offseason. If Stolarz doesn’t regain the form that earned him that extension, Toronto might explore moving him this summer to clear a path for the younger, cheaper option.
For now, though, the crease belongs to Stolarz again. And with the playoff race tightening, he’s got a golden opportunity to remind everyone why the Leafs put their faith-and a multi-year deal-behind him in the first place.