Anthony Stolarz’s Sudden Return Raises Eyebrows as Leafs Fall to Golden Knights
Friday night’s showdown between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vegas Golden Knights came with no shortage of storylines. Mitch Marner’s return to Scotiabank Arena was always going to dominate headlines, and Rasmus Andersson making his Golden Knights debut only added to the intrigue. But it was the unexpected return of goaltender Anthony Stolarz that turned the most heads-and not for the reasons the Leafs were hoping.
Stolarz, who’d been sidelined for over three months, was back in net for one of Toronto’s most important games of the season. The result? A rough outing that saw him give up five goals on 30 shots in a loss that left more questions than answers.
The biggest one: Why was Stolarz thrown back into NHL action so abruptly?
According to insider reporting, the decision didn’t come from head coach Craig Berube or general manager Brad Treliving. In fact, both reportedly preferred Stolarz to get at least one conditioning game with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies before stepping back into the NHL spotlight. But Stolarz had other ideas.
The veteran netminder, 32, felt he was ready-physically, mentally, and competitively. He made it clear he didn’t want a rehab stint in the minors.
Instead, he pushed to return directly to the Leafs' crease, and he got his wish. It wasn’t a case of the team rushing him back; this was a player asserting his readiness and convincing the organization to let him go full throttle.
It’s a bold move, especially considering how his season has gone so far.
After a strong debut campaign with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25, Stolarz’s follow-up year has been anything but smooth. A shaky start to the season was followed by a controversial moment in October, when he publicly called out William Nylander after an overtime loss to Seattle.
Then came the injury that sidelined him for over three months. Now, his return has sparked debate-not just about his readiness, but about his role moving forward.
Stolarz’s numbers this season haven’t helped his case. He’s posted a 6-6-1 record with a 3.63 goals-against average and a .880 save percentage. Those are tough numbers for any starting goalie, let alone one who just signed a four-year, $15 million extension that kicks in next season.
In the meantime, Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have stepped up in Stolarz’s absence. Their solid play has not only kept the Leafs afloat but also stirred speculation that Stolarz could be on the trade block-especially if Toronto decides it needs help elsewhere on the roster.
There’s still time for Stolarz to turn things around. The second half of the season is where reputations are made and playoff hopes are solidified. If he can find the form that made him so valuable last year, this rocky chapter could be just that-a chapter, not the whole story.
But if the struggles continue, the noise around his future in Toronto is only going to get louder.