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Maple Leafs Get Worrisome Injury Update on Anthony Stolarz
Anthony Stolarz’s injury wasn’t thought to be serious, so Thursday’s update by Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is concerning.
After initial optimism that Anthony Stolarz wouldn’t be out of action for too long, things don’t appear to be lining up for a return anytime soon. The Toronto Maple Leafs netminder has been sidelined with an upper-body injury for just over a week now after leaving their 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on November 11.
There was little to no concern at the time, as some even wondered if Stolarz was just pulled because of poor performance. However, three games have already come and gone, and he’s yet to even get back on the ice.
He was expected to do so on Thursday, but according to head coach Craig Berube, the injury is more serious than originally thought, and a return date remains very much up in the air.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun shared his update on X (formerly Twitter). Berube said:
“Worse than we thought. He’s not ready to get on the ice yet and do the things he has needed to do. Hopefully it’s soon. I really don’t have a timetable for him. Maybe tomorrow he’ll be on the ice, I’m not sure.”
The 31-year-old Stolarz signed a four-year, $15 million extension with the Maple Leafs just prior to the start of the 2025-26 season.
It Is Joseph Woll‘s Net For the Taking
With Stolarz not close to returning, the Maple Leafs will rely heavily on Joseph Woll, and he has an opportunity to grab the crease and run with it.
After missing the first 18 games of the season due to a personal leave of absence, Woll has looked very sharp in his first two starts, giving his team a chance to win both games.
The 27-year-old will be in between the pipes again on Thursday night against Columbus, and the starting job is his for the time being, and potentially even when Stolarz is healthy.
It’s never a bad thing to have some goaltending competition, and this is precisely why the Maple Leafs want to have two starting-caliber options, so that when one guy is out, the other can step in and carry the load.
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