The Toronto Maple Leafs are about to undergo a retool this offseason, in hopes of returning to the playoff picture next season, and Anthony Stolarz could be the odd man out in net.
The Leafs have plenty of areas to address across the roster this summer, particularly on the defensive side of the ice, and one of the challenges the new general manager will face is the question mark over the goaltending position.
The Atlantic Division-winning Maple Leafs were backstopped by Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, with both creating what was once viewed as one of the strongest tandems in the league.
Fast forward a year, and many wonder if one of them should be traded to address other areas of need, particularly if it helps the Leafs land a decent draft pick or prospect in return.
For a variety of reasons, Stolarz looks to be more likely the player that the Leafs need to consider moving sooner rather than later.
Injuries and age are a concern
Having an injury-prone goaltender is something the Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled with in recent years.
There were high hopes for Matt Murray, the two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he couldn’t stay healthy, and the Leafs struggled to take the next step as a result.
Stolarz missed a significant chunk of the 2025–26 season due to injuries, starting just 25 games with a 10–10–3 record in games attributed to him.
He also had a disappointing drop in his individual numbers this year, slumping to a .893 save percentage and a 3.28 goals against average. Along with this, he also had a -6.7 goals saved above average—the lowest of the three goalies who played at least 20 games this year (via Money Puck).
He has a contract extension beginning in the offseason, seeing his AAV jump to $3.75M, and he turns 33 halfway through next season. Both factors, along with his numbers, should make the Leafs question whether he can be the guy to take the team forward for the long-term.
When the team had a great defensive unit in front, Stolarz put up great numbers. When things were bad last season, he did not step up enough and limit the damage.
Dennis Hildeby’s 2025–26 breakout makes Stolarz expendable
What makes Stolarz’s position even more precarious is the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs may have the ideal long-term replacement already waiting for his opportunity to stick around in the NHL.
Dennis Hildeby, a fourth-round (122nd overall) pick in the 2022 draft, has been viewed as the potential future number one between the pipes for a couple of years. Last season, he showed why that could be the case.
The 24-year-old from Jarfalla, Sweden, played in 20 games, starting 14, in the 2025–26 season. In that time, he put up the best individual stats of any goalie on the team. He had a .914 save percentage, a 2.86 goals against average, and even had 10.5 goals saved above average—the only Leaf to have a positive in this category.
He is significantly younger than Stolarz, has much more longevity, and costs a fraction of the cap, with two years remaining on a deal that pays him just $841,667 per season.
Even while playing behind a poor defence this season, Hildeby stood tall and showed what he is capable of in the NHL. With some retooling of the defensive group, Hildeby could put up even better numbers as his supporting cast could help provide more of a buffer.
If the Leafs want to win next season, Hildeby has already shown that he could be the answer in net and could be the perfect, ready-made replacement for Stolarz, who struggled in only a handful more games.
Stolarz Contract structure and 2026 trade value
Stolarz’s contract also provides the Toronto Maple Leafs with a route to a trade, but it needs to happen this summer.
Stolarz’s 2026–27 contract has a 16-team no-trade clause, which means that half the league could be potential trade partners. Surely there would be a team on that list that would like a potential upgrade or depth addition in net.
Should the Leafs keep him beyond next season, his NTC drops to 10 teams in 27–28 and drops further to just five teams in his final year. If the Leafs want to take full advantage of a trade, recouping an asset or two in return, then their options are greatest this summer.
The longer Stolarz remains on the books, the more power he has in determining where he plays, and the weaker the Leafs are on the trade market. If the Leafs want to position themselves best, then a deal happening as early as possible this offseason would be the right direction to take.
Even the Ottawa Senators, who made the playoffs this season, could be an ideal partner, as goaltending was the area most discussed heading into the postseason. If Stolarz has a team on his 16-team list that requires a goalie, then the Leafs need to be on the phone with them as soon as possible before finding themselves limited in trade partners.
