News Article: Sam Reinhart on Anthony Stolarz: “has a good chance to be that goalie for that organization that they’ve needed"

[HockeyVirus]

https://thehockeynews.com/news/hes-incredible-why-anthony-stolarz-not-joseph-woll-could-have-the-inside-track-to-being-the-leafs-no-1-goalie

Sam Reinhart, who won a Cup last year with the Florida Panthers, believes the Leafs have someone capable of becoming a legitimate No. 1 goalie — and it’s not necessarily the one with the bigger cap hit as of 2025-26. While Joseph Woll might have the inside track to the starter’s position, Reinhart said free agent pickup Anthony Stolarz “has a good chance to be that goalie for that organization that they’ve needed.”

The 30-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with the Leafs worth $2.5 million per year, has so far been a career backup. But last year was a sort of breakout season for the second-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. For one, he won a championship. And he did it while posting a 2.03 goals-against average and .925 save percentage that were among the NHL's best — albeit in just 27 games.

“He was unbelievable,” Reinhart said of Stolarz during the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour on Monday. “One, his personality off the ice is top-notch. It’s something that anyone would want in their room … So I’m excited to see (that happen) for him as a person.

Click to read more...

 

[Budz]

What’s he gonna say? Stolarz sucks?

 

[Leafidelity]

ok thanks

 

[Roo]

‘After losing Ilya Samsonov to free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs…’

Yeah we ‘lost him’ lol

 

[Leaf Fans]

What’s he gonna say? Stolarz sucks?

Sure, if he thinks Stolarz sucks, but instead he thinks Stolarz is a talented goalie who is great in the room.

 

[ULF_55]

https://thehockeynews.com/news/hes-incredible-why-anthony-stolarz-not-joseph-woll-could-have-the-inside-track-to-being-the-leafs-no-1-goalie

Leafs fans are being trolled by the Panthers.

First it is OEL.
Now it is Stolarz.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Leafs fans are being trolled by the Panthers.

First it is OEL.
Now it is Stolarz.

Are you saying they are not that good?

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

He's going to solve the scoring issues.

 

[Fogelhund]

oops

 

[ULF_55]

Are you saying they are not that good?

I'm saying it is suspect two enemy combatants are talking up two Leafs signees.

If what they're saying is honest, Leafs should be thrilled and those 2 alone would make the off-season a huge win.

 

[Stephen]

Don’t want to hype up Stolarz too much but it is conceivable that this guy has quality number one upside. Was keeping tabs on Gibson for a couple of years as a possible Leaf guy and Stolarz often looked very strong in Anaheim. Looks like he continued the good work in Florida. Just remember him with a massive frame and played with a lot of technical control and athletic explosiveness.

This video shows him in a few scramble mode scenarios:

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Back to the days when we were excited about journeymen.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Back to the days when we were excited about journeymen.

Feels like the good ol’ days again doesn’t it?

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Sure, if he thinks Stolarz sucks, but instead he thinks Stolarz is a talented goalie who is great in the room.

He means do you think he's going to sewer a team mate to the media? When do you ever hear players do that? They are always going to pump their tires

 

[Leaf Fans]

He means do you think he's going to sewer a team mate to the media? When do you ever hear players do that? They are always going to pump their tires

That is a possibility.

 

[leafsfan5]

I'm pretty high on Stolarz as well, I think he can give us 35-40 starts of positive value goaltending

 

[Suntouchable13]

I'm pretty high on Stolarz as well, I think he can give us 35-40 starts of positive value goaltending

To me, goaltending has never been the issue. I mean, if we can get a goalie to outperform his contract (especially in the playoffs) that would be a bonus. Otherwise, it is what it is. You can’t expect these guys to perform like a Vasi. The team upfront will have to cover for the goalie.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Big if true.

 

[Buds17]

Nice to have someone from a divisional rival go to bat for a former teammate. The play of Stolarz as a Leaf will soon enough speak for itself.

 

[Community]

I'm saying it is suspect two enemy combatants are talking up two Leafs signees.

If what they're saying is honest, Leafs should be thrilled and those 2 alone would make the off-season a huge win.

I mean, they're ex-teammates that won a cup together last year.

It's much more realistic that they're pumping them up because they're friends than pumping them up to troll the Leafs fanbase...

Same way William Nylander has been praising his brother. When you're close to somebody, you're more likely to be biased and possibily overrate their abilities (especially to the media).

 

[ULF_55]

I mean, they're ex-teammates that won a cup together last year.

It's much more realistic that they're pumping them up because they're friends than pumping them up to troll the Leafs fanbase...

Same way William Nylander has been praising his brother. When you're close to somebody, you're more likely to be biased and possibily overrate their abilities (especially to the media).

So to paraphrase, more or less meaningless.

 

[Community]

So to paraphrase, more or less meaningless.

Yep. It's not trolling the Leafs, but we should take it with a grain of salt.

Same way that if you were a reference for a recent ex-coworker on a job application and you slightly oversold their abilities, it'd likely be because they're your friend and not because you want to troll the hiring organization.

There could be some truth there, but it could just be an oversell. We'll find out soon enough!

 

[ULF_55]

Yep. It's not trolling the Leafs, but we should take it with a grain of salt.

Same way that if you were a reference for a recent ex-coworker on a job application and you slightly oversold their abilities, it'd likely be because they're your friend and not because you want to troll the hiring organization.

"He worked in a different domain. Always pleasant and punctual, and contributed during team meetings."

 

[Fogelhund]

There is no question though, Stolarz was excellent for the Panthers last year. Lead the league in a number of goaltending categories. If he just repeats his season from last year, that would be a big positive for us.

Reinhart really just spoke the truth... Stolarz was great for the Panthers, and if he's a good dude in the room, that's good too. I don't think it's about pumping an ex-teammate in this case, because what he said is true.

How it works out for us... stay tuned.

If we can get 40 ish games out of Woll, at the quality when he's been healthy, 25-30 games out of Stolarz, which is close to what he played last year, at the quality he was... and the rest of 12-17 games out of Murray/Hildeby, I think we will be in fine shape goaltending wise.

 

[darrylsittler27]

He is a huge upgrade on Samsonov and hopefully Woll stays healthy. Id rather have him than Markstrom at his cost.