Stolarz Extension Talks Hits Roadblock for Maple Leafs

Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender, after taking a hit to the head

The Toronto Maple Leafs are intent on getting their top goalie Anthony Stolarz signed to an extension before he enters the final year of his current deal this season. All Stolarz did was lead the NHL in save percentage last season, at .926, with a 2.14 goals against average and four shutouts.

The two sides are not close to a deal, per insider David Pagnotta, and fellow insider Chris Johnston said on his podcast and on First Up on TSN 1050 today, that money, not term, seems to be at issue.

🚨 The Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarz are still working on an extension. Talks have been ongoing, and while term doesn’t seem to be the issue, the money remains the sticking point.

“I think, of course, for Stolarz, he’s balancing what happens if he has a great year this year.… pic.twitter.com/MChTUrXZOP
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 16, 2025

“I think, of course, for Stolarz, he’s balancing what happens if he has a great year this year. He could be a UFA, and maybe his market goes higher in the (rising) cap environment.”

Of course, there is some risk for Stolarz to take that route, as he has had plenty of injury issues over his career. He's never been a 1 or 1A for a full season and last year's 33 starts are by far the most in his career.

Stolarz probably in line for 3-4 year deal, but there's a gap in AAV

“My belief is it probably lands somewhere between a three- and four-year deal. Term-wise, that’s bang on," continued Johnston.

"The tricky part is the money. I don’t know if it gets up into the fives or sixes. Realistically, I think it’s more in that $3.7 million range, maybe a little above... But I don't know if it gets up into the fives to make it happen. I think that's probably where the sticking point is right now.”

That leaves him right in the same range as his crease partner in Toronto, Joseph Woll, who is starting a three-year, $3.67M AAV contract this coming season. To anyone who watched the team last year, it's clear that Stolarz was the real No. 1, and probably deserves a bit of separation in pay from Woll.

Most No. 1 goalies around the league are pulling in deals lately with an $7M or $8M AAV. Obviously, Stolarz doesn't have the track record to get close to that, but recent comments from the 31-year-old veteran suggest that the $3.7M range that Johnston puts out there might not meet his expectations.

The netminder recently told Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill on Leafs Morning Take (h/t The Fourth Period) that he just wants to "get paid fairly. Something that helps the team, but at the same time shows they believe in me. I’ll leave that to the agent and Tre (Leafs GM Brad Treliving).”

Sounds like some compromise is going to be needed here.