Anthony Stolarz Gets the Net to Himself as Maple Leafs Navigate Injury Woes
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Anthony Stolarz in the Maple Leafs crease. After going down with an injury back in early November, the veteran netminder has been on the slow road to recovery.
But on Friday, in a rare post-game practice session, Stolarz found himself in a spotlight all his own-literally. With Joseph Woll absent and a handful of key skaters missing, Stolarz had the net to himself, offering a unique glimpse into where he might be in his comeback journey.
Now, let’s be clear-Stolarz isn’t back just yet. There’s still no official timeline, and depending on how his body responds, we could be looking at another few weeks before he’s game-ready.
But Friday’s solo session wasn’t just a footnote. It was a potential turning point.
Reading Between the Pipes
When a goalie gets the net to himself during practice, it’s more than just a scheduling quirk. It’s a test.
No rotation, no relief, no sharing reps-it’s all on him. For Stolarz, that’s a chance to push his conditioning, test his lateral movement, and get reacquainted with the pace and workload of NHL-level action.
It’s also a sign from the coaching staff that they’re ready to give him the space to ramp up.
That’s especially notable considering the Leafs are still dealing with a string of injuries. William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson were all absent from the session. So while the skater group was thin, the opportunity was ripe for Stolarz to take center stage.
A Complicated Comeback
Let’s not sugarcoat it-Stolarz’s numbers this season haven’t inspired confidence. He’s sitting on a 6-5-1 record with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage. Those are tough stats, especially for a guy who showed flashes of being a high-end backup, if not a 1B option, in previous seasons.
And that’s where the uncertainty creeps in. Is this the beginning of a legitimate return, or just another checkpoint in a season marred by setbacks? Stolarz has dealt with major injuries multiple times in his career, and the question now isn’t just when he’ll be back-but what version of him will show up when he is.
There’s also the looming reality that his name has surfaced in trade rumors. That’s not surprising given his age, contract situation, and the Leafs’ ongoing need to solidify their goaltending depth.
But it does add another layer of intrigue to his recovery. Is Toronto showcasing him for a potential move?
Or are they genuinely hoping he can give them 20-25 strong games down the stretch?
What This Means for the Leafs
For now, the Maple Leafs are taking what they can get. With Woll still sidelined and Ilya Samsonov’s play fluctuating, any sign of progress from Stolarz is welcome. Even if he’s not ready to jump into the rotation tomorrow, just having him on the ice, moving well, and handling a full practice load is a step in the right direction.
Toronto doesn’t need Stolarz to be a savior. They just need him to be solid.
If he can stabilize the crease for stretches and give the coaching staff confidence in a three-goalie system, that’s a win. But if he can’t stay healthy or regain form, the Leafs may be forced to look elsewhere-either via trade or internally.
Bottom Line
Friday’s practice won’t show up in any box scores, but it might end up being one of the more important moments in Anthony Stolarz’s season. Whether it leads to a full return or simply marks another checkpoint in a bumpy road, it was a clear sign that he’s still in the mix-and still fighting.
In a season where the Leafs have been tested by injuries and inconsistency, every positive sign matters. And on Friday, Stolarz gave them one.