The Maple Leafs will be without one of their most valuable players over the weekend.
Leafs coach Craig Berube described goaltender Anthony Stolarz as “day to day right now” after Friday’s practice with what the team is calling a lower-body injury. Stolarz did not practice Friday.
The Leafs have been beset by injury absences throughout November and December that have dragged on longer than anticipated. Asked if he expected Stolarz to return next week, Berube said: “I do, but in saying that, he’s got to get on the ice. But it was good news, overall. So let’s just leave it at that. Right now it’s day to day.”
After stopping seven of eight shots against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period on Thursday, Stolarz did not return to the game after the first period. The Leafs then announced Stolarz would not return to the game.
Stolarz is in the middle of arguably the best season of his NHL career. Not only is the 30-year-old on track to play the most games in a single season since entering the league in 2016-17, he’s put up a league-leading .927 save percentage in the process.
As the Leafs have struggled to score at 5-on-5 compared to previous seasons, Stolarz’s blend of size, steadiness and athleticism has kept his team in games. The team signed Stolarz to a two-year deal as a free agent last summer. His $2.5-million cap hit is proving to be a bargain for the Leafs.
Without knowing the full extent of his injury, Stolarz’s history of injuries and surgeries casts at least some concern for his short-term future. He has torn the same meniscus in his left knee twice and required three surgeries to correct the injury. And so Stolarz’s absence will test the Leafs’ goaltending depth.
In response to his injury, the Leafs called up 23-year-old Dennis Hildeby on an emergency basis.
Hildeby, a 2022 fourth-round draft pick, is coming off a stellar rookie AHL season with the Toronto Marlies in 2023-24. The 6-foot-7 backstop played 41 games with an impressive .913 save percentage.
Yet this season, Hildeby’s numbers haven’t held up as well. Through six AHL games, Hildeby has a .869 save percentage. He noted how his screen management and reading present room for improvement.
“It’s been up and down,” Hildeby said of his season with the Marlies. “I’ve got some things to work on.”
Hildeby was a surprise early call-up to the Leafs to start the season after Joseph Woll suffered a groin injury. Hildeby won his first NHL game, stopping 21 of 23 shots in a 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils.
“(Hildeby) played that great game in New Jersey for us, so we have confidence in him,” Berube said. “He’s got a lot of ability and he’s obviously a big man. If we’ve got to use him, we have confidence for sure.”
The Leafs have a back to back against the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and Sunday, which suggests Hildeby could play in his third NHL game this weekend.
“I’ve learned not to expect anything really, just to take advantage of the opportunity,” Hildeby said.
The Leafs re-signed veteran goalie Matt Murray to a one-year, $875,000 contract during the offseason. He was ostensibly added to be the Leafs’ third goalie and be available in situations when one of Stolarz or Woll goes down with an injury.
Yet Murray left the first period of his last AHL game with an injury and has not practiced with the Marlies since. He has played six AHL games this season.
While the Leafs have relied on the tandem of Stolarz and Woll this season, it feels likely Woll will start taking the lion’s share of starts until Stolarz returns. After some brief early season stumbles, Woll has rebounded with more resolute performances and has a .921 save percentage through 11 games this season.
“(Woll) has been a really good goalie for us, so I’ve got a lot of faith in him,” Berube said. “I thought he did a good job coming in last night. It’s tough to do.”
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(Photo: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)
