Maple Leafs Goaltending Update: Is Anthony Stolarz Done for the Season?

Goaltending was set to be a definitive strength for the Toronto Maple Leafs entering this season. After years of question marks in the crease, it seemed like the team had finally figured things out. Heading into the campaign with both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz signed to long-term contracts, the team appeared to be in a great place.

The Turning Point: Stolarz’s Injury Against Boston

Fast forward to November 11th. After a game against the Boston Bruins, the narrative shifted drastically. Stolarz left the game after the first period and would not return. The goaltender hasn't been seen since, with the franchise remaining tight-lipped regarding the nature of his injury. Until now, the only update the team had provided was that the issue was not concussion-related.

Craig Berube Provides Latest Status Update

Today, coming out of the holiday break, head coach Craig Berube provided the following update:

While stopping short of explicitly confirming that the goaltender’s season is over, the team finally provided a tangible update. This information comes as no surprise, as it now appears highly likely that Stolarz is done for the year. If his season is indeed finished, the team could opt to place him on Season Ending Injury Reserve, permanently opening up his full salary cap space.

Why Shutting Stolarz Down Makes Sense

With the new year set to begin in just a few days, it seems unlikely that we will see Stolarz play again this season. Recent updates confirmed he had made no progress and was considering his options. Given the way the team has performed, and specifically the strong play of Dennis Hildeby, it would make sense for the organization to shut Stolarz down completely.

If the injury has taken this long to progress and is still at a stage where the team lists it as indefinite, why would they risk it? Even if Stolarz opted to return this season, you have to imagine the risk of reinjury simply wouldn't be worth it. At this point, it seems best for the Leafs to err on the side of caution and allow Stolarz to prioritize his long-term health.

Questions Mount Regarding Leafs’ Medical Staff

When the season concludes, I do wonder if there will be questions regarding the efficacy of the Leafs’ medical staff. After injuries to Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev involved recovery plans that arguably led to subsequent setbacks, the scrutiny is warranted. Add in the mystery surrounding the Stolarz situation, and the entire department appears to be in disarray.