Inside the Maple Leafs’ Decision to Start Anthony Stolarz: What Really Happened
When the Toronto Maple Leafs handed Anthony Stolarz the crease for his first NHL start since November 11, eyebrows were raised - and not without reason. The 6-3 loss that followed wasn’t just a tough result; it was a performance that sparked real questions about how ready Stolarz truly was. His rebound control was shaky, his movement in the crease looked labored, and it didn’t take long for fans and analysts alike to wonder: why was this his first game back?
Now, we’re getting a clearer picture of how that decision came to be - and it turns out, there was more behind it than just a lineup card.
No AHL Game Action Before NHL Return
Stolarz had been sidelined for over two months before his return, and while he did go on a conditioning stint with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, he didn’t actually get into a game. Instead, the stint was focused solely on practice time.
That alone was unusual. For a goaltender coming off a long layoff, in-game reps are typically considered essential.
But in this case, the Leafs stuck to a different plan.
According to reporting from Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, the decision for Stolarz to make his return directly in the NHL wasn’t made on the fly - it was mapped out from the start of his return-to-play protocol. The team built in extra practice days and morning skates to try and get him as sharp as possible without actual game action. And when the question came up again - whether he’d prefer to ease back in with the Marlies - Stolarz reportedly stuck with the original plan: get back in net with the Leafs.
Not the Coach’s Call
Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about the decision postgame and made it clear the call wasn’t his. “Not my call,” he said.
That answer only added to the confusion surrounding the situation. But as Friedman dug into it, he found that the plan had been set early, and it was one that Stolarz himself was on board with from the beginning.
This wasn’t just about availability. It was about where Stolarz belonged - at least in the eyes of the player and some around the league.
As Friedman explained, after discussing the situation on-air, he heard from several players who backed the idea. Their reasoning?
Stolarz got hurt in the NHL, and if he was going to come back, it should be at that same level. There’s also the harsh reality that if a player is going to get re-injured - something no one wants to think about, but teams have to plan for - better it happens in the NHL, where the games matter, than in the AHL during a conditioning stint.
A Risky Return in a High-Emotion Game
The timing of the start only added to the scrutiny. Stolarz’s return came in a high-stakes game, one that marked Mitch Marner’s return to Toronto.
It was an emotionally charged night, and the Leafs needed a strong performance between the pipes. Instead, they got a goalie who looked like he was still shaking off rust - stopping just 25 of the 30 shots he faced.
The decision to throw him into that kind of spotlight without any game action under his belt is one that will be debated. But it’s now clear it wasn’t made lightly. It was a calculated choice, one rooted in a belief - shared by Stolarz and others - that his place was with the Leafs, not the Marlies.
What Comes Next?
Now the focus shifts to what this means going forward. Stolarz is a veteran, and one game after a long layoff doesn’t define a season.
But the Leafs are in a stretch where every point matters, and goaltending consistency is going to be key. If Stolarz can shake off the rust and settle in, this decision will fade into the background.
If not, it could be one the organization looks back on as a misstep in a crucial stretch of the season.
Either way, we now know this wasn’t a case of miscommunication or last-minute scrambling. It was a plan - unconventional, maybe, but deliberate - that put faith in a goalie to return on his terms. The Leafs just have to hope that faith pays off.