Veteran Anthony Stolarz opens up on his decision to sign with the Maple Leafs

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Tom Banks
August 5, 2024 (10:59)

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Anthony Stolarz is ready to play a key role for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season, and now he opens up on why he chose them as a free agent.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had two clear goals this off-season, and that was to upgrade both the blue line and the goaltending group, and they did that with three huge pickups. The biggest of all perhaps was goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who is coming off a career-best year and a Stanley Cup victory in Florida, despite not seeing the ice much behind superstar Sergei Bobrovsky.

Now, the 30-year-old has opened up in a recent interview, revealing that it was the potential for playing time while also contending for a Stanley Cup once more that motivated him to end up with the Maple Leafs.

"I just thought that Toronto was the best fit just in terms of an opportunity," Stolarz explained. "A team that is a very strong contender. And, you know, obviously going to a city like Toronto, it's something I'm looking forward to and I'm really excited for it."

When asked about his new net-minder, GM Brad Treliving echoed similar sentiments, signaling his excitement at the prospect of seeing Stolarz in net on a more consistent basis.

"If you look at his career, he's played as a backup to some top-level goaltending, so there wasn't a lot of net there," Treliving explained shortly after the deal was signed. "There wasn't going to be a lot of starts. He's big, he's athletic. I think goaltenders as we all know they take some time to mature in their game. I think he's done that.

Only time will tell whether or not this goaltending partnership in Toronto will be more successful than recent ones, and after a fantastic postseason performance from Joseph Woll, the combination of Woll and Stolarz is shaping up to be a very exciting one.

Source: Hockey Feed
Anthony Stolarz reveals why he joined Leafs