If anyone on the Toronto Maple Leafs deserves immortalization in bronze, it’s Anthony Stolarz. With his standout performances this season, he’s singlehandedly keeping the team afloat and might just warrant a statue outside the arena someday.
Brad Treliving, in what could be one of his final moves as the Leafs’ General Manager, should write a thank-you note—and maybe offer a significant raise—to whoever persuaded him to sign Stolarz after the team’s primary, secondary, and tertiary plans for goaltending fell apart this summer.
The truth is, the Leafs are hanging by a thread. If they don’t at least make it to the third round of the playoffs, Brendan Shanahan and his management crew might find themselves packing up their offices. Unfortunately, with the current roster and a GM reluctant to make in-season trades, that deep playoff run feels more like wishful thinking than a realistic goal.
Goaltending: The Glue Holding the Leafs Together
Without Stolarz, this season could already be a disaster. His incredible .930 save percentage has been a lifeline for a team riddled with problems. Despite having a trio of franchise players and one of the league’s top-performing goaltenders, the Leafs’ 9-6-2 record barely hovers above mediocrity.
Statistically, the Leafs’ fourth-highest 5v5 save percentage in the NHL has carried them to the 12th-best record. However, their underlying metrics paint a grim picture. Ranked 14th in expected-goals percentage, they’re skating on thin ice, and without Stolarz’s heroics, they’d likely find themselves in the bottom half of the league.
The issues don’t stop there. The Leafs’ depth at center is non-existent, their bottom-six forwards are offensively barren, and injuries have ravaged the lineup. Offensively, they sit at a disappointing 18th in 5v5 goals per minute, while defensively, they’re average at best.
In their most recent outing, the team dressed five fourth-liners, a lineup decision that’s unacceptable even considering their injury woes. Pair that with a lackluster power play, inconsistent defensive pairings, and underperforming stars, and it’s clear the team is heavily reliant on Stolarz to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Stolarz: The Leafs’ Only Hope
Right now, Anthony Stolarz is the difference between the Leafs clinging to a playoff spot and slipping into irrelevance. While the season is still young, the cracks in Toronto’s foundation are impossible to ignore.
If the Maple Leafs want to avoid another year of disappointment, changes are needed—and fast. Until then, they owe Anthony Stolarz a standing ovation for giving them a fighting chance. Whether it’s a statue or a permanent place in Leafs lore, Stolarz is proving himself to be the unsung hero Toronto didn’t know it needed.
Leave a Reply