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Nick Kypreos Suggests Unexpected Maple Leafs' Trade Chip

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 7:30 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have one of the most surprising and coveted players heading into the NHL trade deadline without even knowing about it.

As the March 6 deadline approaches, an increasing number of teams across the league could explore goaltending solutions in a market that offers very few.

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs could capitalize on that shortage by dealing away one of their own in starting goalie Anthony Stolarz.

Kypreos floated Stolarz as a possible trade chip in his latest "NHL Buzz" column, calling the netminder an option that could yield real value for Toronto if he returns healthy from his two-month, injury-related absence.

With the NHL trade deadline only two months away, @realkyper checks in with a number of teams to see what moves they're considering. https://t.co/k0NG6Tl0yV
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 7, 2026

“There are teams out there that need a goalie and not a lot is available at the position,” Kypreos wrote. “So, if Anthony Stolarz can come back and be healthy for a stretch, he’s a trade chip they could use.”

Stolarz, 30, signed a four-year extension with Toronto at the end of training camp, with the deal set to kick in next season. The goalie was expected to form a 1A-1B tandem with Joseph Woll after a breakout 2024–25 season.

But after posting just a .884 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average in 13 games early this season, Stolarz suffered an upper-body injury in November and hasn’t played since Nov. 11.

In his absence, Dennis Hildeby has emerged as a legitimate NHL option in net for the Leafs, giving Toronto a new decision to make ahead of the deadline.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) during a break in the action.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

According to The Athletic's Chris Johnston, Stolarz is expected to return shortly after the Olympic break, so the Maple Leafs face a potential logjam in goal with three goalies for a position in which usually only two players rotate game to game.

Kypreos noted Toronto’s thin asset pool and suggested Stolarz's contract certainty, combined with the league-wide demand for NHL-level goalies, could make him their most valuable chip in Toronto's possession.

The Leafs, currently fifth in the Atlantic Division, could explore defense or forward upgrades if a deal materializes, with Kypreos linking them to Stars forward Jason Robertson in the same column.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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