David Pagnotta Reports Maple Leafs' Talks to Extend Key Starter

"In Toronto, after going the summer without negotiating, sources tell me the Maple Leafs have now started contract extension discussions with goaltender Anthony Stolarz," Pagnotta wrote.

Anthony Stolarz's Breakout Season in Toronto

Stolarz, 31, is entering his second year with Toronto after the Leafs signed him to a two-year, $5 million deal after he won the 2024 Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.

The netminder is projected as the starter after a strong campaign in 2024-25, when he started more than 24 games (33) for the first time in his career while splitting starts with fellow netminder Joseph Woll, who logged 41.

Stolarz surprised fans last year by posting a .926 save percentage with a 2.14 goals-against average and a 21-8-3 record in 34 games, including four shutouts.

The Athletic's James Mirtle weighed in on the Leafs' situation in net shortly before Pagnotta's report emerged on Tuesday, finding it hard to project Stolarz's next deal and the money he might command from the Leafs.

“Stolarz is a really tough player to find comparables for," Mirtle wrote. "He’s 31 years old, and he’s started just 116 regular-season games in the NHL. That’s the profile of a journeyman backup who should bounce around on a low-level salary … except his numbers have been spectacular."

Mirtle pointed out that Stolarz ranked seventh in the NHL in goals saved above expected over the past five years, projecting two scenarios for Stolarz's 2025-26 season and his next deal from the goalie's point of view.

• Best-case scenario: "If Stolarz stays healthy all season, plays 50-odd games and is as good as he’s been, he’s in line for a big payday."
• Worst-case scenario: "If he’s hurt a lot again but still plays well, that limits how much teams are going to pay him."

Mirtle suggested Stolarz “can get into that $5 million-plus range pretty easily” with another strong year, or “still going to be clearing $4 million” if he repeats last season’s numbers.

"At the lower number, he makes sense for Toronto given they’re only paying Woll $3.67 million," Mirtle finished.