Reinhart and Stolarz were teammates during the 2023-24 season, where they won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers.
Reinhart and Stolarz were teammates during the 2023-24 season, where they won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers.
Heading into NHL free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs had some holes to fill. Primarily, the club needed to decide on their goaltending situation. After parting ways with Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones, the Leafs brought back Matt Murray and signed Stanley Cup-winning goaltender, Anthony Stolarz.
Stolarz is coming off a career-best season in 2023-24, despite only playing 27 games. He posted a record of 16-7-2, with a 2.03 goals against average, and a .925 save percentage in his lone season with the Florida Panthers. The Leafs made their move, signing him to a two-year, $5 million deal on the opening day of free agency.
Fast forward to the present, and Panthers forward Sam Reinhart is optimistic about his former teammate's prospects in Toronto. Speaking during the 2024 NHL Player Media Tour, Reinhart expressed high expectations for Stolarz, believing that Toronto may have found the answer to their goaltending concerns.
“(He) has a good chance to be that goalie for that organization that they’ve needed,” Reinhart said, in a quote during his media availability, and written by The Hockey News’ Michael Traikos.
After serving as a backup for the Panthers last season and in four years with the Anaheim Ducks, Stolarz has an opportunity to carve out a bigger role in Toronto’s crease. The Leafs, who have faced inconsistencies in net, are banking on the 6-foot-6 netminder to provide the stability they’ve been seeking.
Joining a younger Joseph Woll (24), the hope is that his presence will help develop Toronto’s promising goaltender. Reinhart reflected on this exact attribute, praising the Edison, New Jersey native for his professionalism and presence during the Panthers’ Stanley Cup run.
“He was unbelievable,” Reinhart said. “One, his personality off the ice is top-notch. It’s something that anyone would want in their room. I’m excited to see (that happen) for him as a person.”
Playing in just 109 NHL games since the 2016-17 season, splitting his NHL career between the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Panthers, the opportunity in Toronto is the result of years of hard work and perseverance, and Reinhart is rooting for his success – just not against the Panthers.
“Obviously, I hope he doesn’t do too well – against us at least,” Reinhart joked. “But I wish nothing but the best for him and that opportunity. It’s something that’s deserved through a lot of hard work.”
Stolarz’s .925 save percentage was the best in the NHL in 2023-24, and despite never playing more than 28 games in a season, he’s proven himself as a reliable goaltender in his role. Now, the former second-round pick is eager to cash in on the presented opportunity. With the 2024-25 season right around the corner, time will tell if Stolarz can rise to the challenge.
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