The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a two-year contract reportedly worth approximately $2.5 million according to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.
Stolarz was one of the best backup goaltenders in the NHL and is coming off a Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old saved 20.1 goals above expected in all situations via MoneyPuck, the third-best mark of any goaltender with more than 25 games last season. He posted a 16-7-2 record in 27 appearances, recording a .925 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average as the champion Panthers flummoxed opponents as the best defensive team in the league.
Couple notes from @frank_seravalli‘s hit on @Sportsnet moments ago… #LeafsForever
– Thinks a deal with Tanev will get done in relatively short order
– Bertuzzi’s bouncing. Expects him to sign with a Western Conference team
– Expects the Leafs to make a significant play for…
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) July 1, 2024
The 30-year-old will be paired in tandem with Joseph Woll, who appeared to be taking over as Toronto’s No. 1 goaltender but his progress was often halted by injuries. Woll submitted the game of his career in a Game 6 home victory over the Boston Bruins but suffered an injury in the final seconds of the game while making a save, and Ilya Samsonov reverted back to the net for Game 7, where the Maple Leafs were eliminated in overtime.
Seravalli: “Look for Stolarz to land in Toronto”
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) July 1, 2024
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Maple Leafs, Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks as the three finalists for Stolarz on Monday morning.
Stolarz is coming off the best season of his career at an individual — and quite obviously — on a team level, but he also faced the highest volume of starts and minutes while serving as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup. He has a massive frame and moves well for a 6-foot-6 goaltender, qualities that likely were appealing to Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and his staff.
This is a major coup for the Maple Leafs as they needed to find a goaltender to work in tandem with Woll and secured one of the most promising goalies in a market that has provided few, if any, certainties. So far, the summer of change as promised by Treliving and Shanahan is fully underway.
More to come.
