It's the nightmare scenario for any team: their starting goalie goes down. But what happens when the injury is worse than initially feared? That's exactly what's unfolding with the Toronto Maple Leafs and their goaltender, Anthony Stolarz. Leafs' head coach Craig Berube has just revealed that Stolarz's upper-body injury is, in his words, "worse than we thought." Ouch.
While there's a glimmer of hope that the 31-year-old netminder might return to skating as early as Friday, the updated assessment casts a shadow of uncertainty over his immediate future and the Leafs' goaltending situation. This news, delivered via Twitter by Mark Masters of TSN, has Leafs fans holding their breath.
Stolarz sustained the injury during a 5-3 defeat against the Boston Bruins on November 11th, and he hasn't seen game action since. Before the injury, Stolarz played in 13 games this season, posting a 6-5-1 record with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage. While those numbers aren't stellar, Stolarz has shown flashes of brilliance and was expected to be a key part of the Leafs' goaltending tandem. And this is the part most people miss: the psychological impact on the team when a key player goes down, especially a goalie.
For those unfamiliar with Stolarz's career, he's a seasoned NHL veteran in his ninth season, having previously worn the jerseys of the Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, and Philadelphia Flyers. He's bounced around the league, but seemed to have found a home in Toronto.
Adding another layer to the situation is the fact that Stolarz signed a significant four-year, $15 million contract extension with the Leafs just this past September. This investment underscores the team's belief in his abilities. Now, the Leafs are facing the possibility of being without their newly-signed goalie for an extended period. But here's where it gets controversial... Was signing Stolarz to such a long and expensive contract a smart move, given his injury history? Some fans are already questioning the decision.
Fortunately, the Leafs have Joseph Woll back in the lineup. Woll has started the team's last two games and is slated to be between the pipes again on Thursday night when the Leafs host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Woll's return provides some stability, but can he handle the pressure of being the de facto number one goalie if Stolarz is out for a significant amount of time? This situation puts a lot of pressure on Woll to perform consistently. What do you think? Is Woll ready to carry the load, or will the Leafs need to explore other options to bolster their goaltending depth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
