The 30-year-old career backup proved last season that he can be brilliant in a smaller body of work, but more will be expected of him with the Maple Leafs. Is he up to the task?
Anthony StolarzBefore current Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz signed with the Florida Panthers on a one-year deal prior to last season, he was a career backup. A little more than a year later, Stolarz is a career backup with a Stanley Cup ring.
When Joseph Woll went down with a back injury before playing even a minute of hockey at the NHL level this season, Stolarz stepped into the breach and has been excellent for a Maple Leafs team that has long coveted the goaltending depth it now seems to have.
In a small body of work last season with the Cup champs, Stolarz produced some of the best numbers in the NHL. And he's picked up this season right where he left off in Toronto. The numbers are there, but the eye test looks pretty tantalizing for the gargantuan goalie, who seems calm, collected and always in a position to make a save.
We know that Stolarz can be an elite goalie in a small sample size. Even with Woll on the verge of returning, this season will likely be one where he plays more games than he ever has in his career.
Is he up to it? The early returns are promising.
Here's more in today's video column:
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