Toronto Maple Leafs star goalie could become available in trade after contract update

The Oilers are reportedly looking for a tandem goaltender alongside Skinner in trade, and there's at least 4 teams who could be looking to trade a goalie this year. Toronto isn't one of them, but have an interesting situation with two high-end goalies.

According to a recent report from Leafs analyst Nick Alberga, contract talks between the Stolarz and the team haven't begun, and aren't expected to be a top priority.

Stolarz is currently on an incredibly deal that pays him just $2.5M for next season after posting a .926 save percentage last year. He was relatively unproven coming into Toronto, but emerged as a truly elite goaltender.

The Leafs also have Joseph Woll under contract at $3.6M for the next two seasons. At 26 years old and signed to a longer term deal, he's clearly part of their future.

Toronto might not be able to keep Stolarz past next season if he commands a significant raise, and the team also has Will under contract. If they're unable to keep Stolarz, trading him or even Woll may be a better idea than letting him go in free agency.

With the rising salary cap and Stolarz's emergence as a star, he's likely commanding the kind of raise that forces a move.

Stolarz actually spent some time with the Edmonton Oilers, starting only 6 games in 2018-19 before the team let him go as a free agent. At the time there was belief they were letting a quality goalie slip through their fingers, and they were absolutely right.

Perhaps the Oilers could pursue a reunion with Stolarz, this time bringing him in with the intention of being their starting goaltender.