Toronto Maple Leafs finalizing eye-popping deal for goalie Anthony Stolarz
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly closing in on a contract extension with goalie Anthony Stolarz for a salary in the $4M range.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported the deal is making significant progress and is expected to be finalized very soon.
UPDATE: Now, insider Chris Johnston has confirmed the Stolarz contract is for 4s years at $3.75M annually - a bona fide steal for the Leafs.
Anthony Stolarz signing contract with Maple Leafs near $4M salary cap hit
Now 31 years old, Stolarz has been one of the best goalies in the NHL statistically over the last 2 seasons.
With the Leafs last year, Stolarz had a career-best year of a .926 save percentage and ranked 1st in Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 minutes according to MoneyPuck. Also a monster at 6'6, Stolarz quickly has risen to top goalie status in Toronto.
That's why with the rising salary cap, seeing Toronto sign Stolarz for only $4M is a shockingly team friendly deal. Some analytics valued his contributions last year at an $8M salary.
Of course, Anthony Stolarz is a former Oilers goaltender too. He played 6 games for Edmonton in 2018-19, and the team released him to be a free agent.
What does the Stolarz deal mean for the Edmonton Oilers?
The Edmonton Oilers may want to be keeping an eye out here, because they'll need to address their goalie situation by the end of this year.
Stuart Skinner is reportedly seeking more than $6M in his next contract after going to 2 Stanley Cup Finals with Edmonton. However, his .896 save percentage is miles away from Stolarz.
The Oilers should not be paying up to keep Skinner for $6M if there are other, better, cheaper options out there. This Stolarz contract seals the deal that the Oilers can not pay Skinner that much for below average goaltending.
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