The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a familiar position: in the thick of a playoff race, with glaring needs on the blue line and limited assets to address them. But there may be a creative path forward - and it involves goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
Stolarz, who’s been working his way back from injury, hasn’t quite recaptured the form that made him one of the NHL’s most efficient backups last season. Still, his presence gives Toronto something most teams envy: depth in net. Between Joseph Woll, Dennis Hildeby, and Stolarz, the Leafs have three goalies with legitimate starting upside - a luxury, but also a potential trade chip.
And that’s where things get interesting.
According to a recent trade board from Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Stolarz has emerged as a name to watch - not necessarily for what he can provide the Leafs on the ice, but for what he might help them acquire off it. Specifically, a premium defenseman. That’s the kind of asset Toronto desperately needs if they want to make real noise this spring.
Now, Stolarz does have a 16-team no-trade list, which could complicate matters. But if Toronto is serious about making a bold move, they may have to get creative - and a deal with the New Jersey Devils could be just that.
The proposed trade package making the rounds would send Stolarz, along with forwards Dakota Joshua and Calle Järnkrok, to New Jersey in exchange for defenseman Dougie Hamilton and a prospect, either Kevan Benjamin or Chase Cheslock. On paper, it’s a blockbuster - and surprisingly, the money works out.
Toronto’s outgoing salaries total $7.85 million, and with Chris Tanev’s contract on long-term injured reserve, they’d have the flexibility to absorb Hamilton’s deal. Yes, Hamilton carries a hefty cap hit, and yes, he’s had his share of injury concerns. But when healthy, he’s a legitimate top-pairing defenseman - the kind Toronto hasn’t had consistently behind Morgan Rielly.
This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about what Hamilton could bring to a Leafs team that’s lacked a true difference-maker on the back end.
He’s a power-play weapon, a puck mover, and a big-minute player who can anchor a top pair. If Toronto wants to go deep in the postseason, those are the kinds of pieces you need.
Of course, this would mean moving on from Stolarz - and that’s not insignificant. While he hasn’t quite regained his top form this season, there’s still belief he can get back there.
Last year, he was lights out in limited action. But with Woll locking down the No. 1 job and Hildeby showing real growth, the Leafs have internal options.
Add in AHL All-Star Artur Akhtyamov, who’s knocking on the door, and suddenly the crease is looking pretty crowded.
That makes Stolarz expendable - and valuable.
There’s also a bit of symmetry here. Stolarz, a New Jersey native, would be heading home.
Hamilton, meanwhile, would be returning to Ontario, where he played his junior hockey. Sometimes, these moves have a way of working out for both sides.
The Leafs don’t have the deepest prospect pool, and they’re not flush with draft picks. If they want to make a meaningful upgrade, they’ll need to think outside the box. Packaging a goaltender like Stolarz - along with two roster players - for a top-pairing defenseman might just be the kind of swing that puts them over the top.
It’s a gamble, no doubt. But if Toronto wants to win now, it might be a gamble worth taking.