The Toronto Maple Leafs are in talks with goalie Anthony Stolarz on an extension, but one insider questions if it will get done.
The Maple Leafs signed Stolarz to a two-year, $5 million contract last offseason, and he’s now eligible for an extension. Stolarz took over as the starting goalie and should be in line for a raise.
However, Toronto has Joseph Woll under contract and Dennis Hildeby in the pipeline. So NHL insider Chris Johnston believes Stolarz could hit the open market.
“It’s something the Leafs have been at for a little while now, and I think it makes sense to try and see if there is something both sides can agree to at this time,” Johnston said on First Up. “Obviously, Stolarz has a successful run last year with the team, if you look ahead, 2026 free agency at the goaltending position isn’t exactly brimming with great options. So, if you can get some certainty, there is value for a player like Stolarz, who has bounced around a bit in his career, and battled through some injuries.
“I suppose there will be a little risk in that contract if it gets done, on both ends of the equation. The money has to make sense from the Leafs’ side,” Johnston added. “For Stolarz, he would be balancing what happens if I have a great year this year and could be a UFA. Maybe his market goes higher. I don’t know if it’s going to get done.”
As Johnston notes, Stolarz could be the top free agent goalie, which could entice him to hit the open market.
Insider Shares What Stolarz Could Get
If Stolarz does sign an extension with the Maple Leafs, Johnston expects it to be a three or four-year deal.
However, Johnston doesn’t think the salary will be as much as some think, as he expects it to be in the $4 million range.
“I think the term is bang on (3-4 years). I don’t know if the money gets there ($5-6 million a year),” Johnston added. “That’s the trickiest part, not with the Stolarz conversations, but any player trying to make a deal. Everyone is getting paid more with the cap going up. Woll is at $3.7 (million) give or take, so I think it would be a little bit above that, but I don’t think it gets up into the 5’s.”
As Johnston notes, Stolarz would make more than Woll, but Toronto may not want to commit a ton of money to him.
Stolarz went 21-8-3 with a 2.14 GAA and a .926 SV% last season with the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Have Explored Extension Talks With Stolarz
With Stolarz entering the final year of his deal, Toronto is exploring an extension for him.
Ahead of training camp, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving says he has started extension talks with the goalie.
“Anthony has come in and has been terrific,” Treliving said. “Really, him and (Woll), you look at any metric you want. I think they were as good a goaltending tandem as there was in the league, and really were a backbone for us.
“We’ve certainly explored some things with Anthony and his representative, and we’d love to find a way to get something done. If there’s something that both sides are comfortable with, we’ll look at it. And we’ve been in those discussions for some time right now. We’ll see what the coming days bring,” Treliving added.
Stolarz and the Maple Leafs open their season on Oct. 8 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Insider Gives Bad News on Potential Extension for Maple Leafs Goalie