Maple Leafs Say Stolarz Leave ‘Indefinite’, Offer Update On Cowan, Carlo

The Toronto Maple Leafs remain without clarity on the status of goaltender Anthony Stolarz. According to several sources, head coach Craig Berube said, “Indefinite as of right now.”

Meanwhile, Easton Cowan will sit for a third straight game, Berube said he’s had “conversations with him…” He added, “we won last game. Just be patient. We definitely do not want him sitting out too long.”

While the Cowan situation appears like a short-term deal that will take care of itself in the next game or two, the Stolarz news is troubling. The Leafs have no intention of keeping Cowan out forever. “That’s not good for his growth,” said Berube. He added, “I think he helps us. I think he’s a good player, and he’s only going to get better.”

The update on Stolarz seems less in the Maple Leafs’ control. When asked whether there was any new information following the goaltender’s recent visit with a specialist, Berube offered, “Not really.”

Stolarz has been dealing with the injury since Nov. 11 and has yet to resume skating. Toronto is starting to understand that it could be some time before he’s back, and they’ll have to move forward without him. Goaltender injuries have become a frustrating pattern for the team, and for the veteran netminder, it’s particularly problematic.

Stolarz has now missed 22 games this season and missed 25 games last year due to injury. It’s hard to believe that when the Leafs face Detroit on Sunday, he will have spent more time sidelined than on the ice this season.

What Next For the Maple Leafs?

Stolarz handled a heavy workload while Joseph Woll was away on personal leave, appearing in 13 games, posting six wins with an .884 save percentage. Those numbers were not incredible.

Woll is back and has performed well, going 6-4-1 with a .923 save percentage in 11 appearances. Dennis Hildeby has also seen extended action, appearing in 13 games with a 3-6-1 record and a .911 save percentage. Woll is projected to start Saturday against Ottawa, while Hildeby is expected to go Sunday versus Detroit.

There is some good news. With Chris Tanev back in the lineup, the Maple Leafs are close to getting another veteran defenceman back. Brandon Carlo, out since Nov. 13 and recovering from foot surgery, skated Saturday and is progressing well, though no return timeline is set. When asked if Carlo might get into a game over the next few days: “I wouldn’t jump there yet. We have to see where he is going forward and he hasn’t been in any real practice with the team.”

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