Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz nears return with AHL conditioning loan to Toronto Marlies (Image Via Twitter) The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting one of their goalies back as Anthony Stolarz has successfully taken another step in recovering. The team put out an announcement on Tuesday that Stolarz is going to be loaned to the Toronto Marlies for conditioning, which is usually a sign that a player is about to be back on the ice after a long time away.Stolarz has been out since November 11 and has missed two months of playing due to an upper-body issue that later turned out to be a nerve problem. While the delay in his season was unfortunate, the experienced goalie has kept up with his skating and says he is very close to being able to compete in the live-action again, even if it is in the AHL instead of the NHL.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs are sending Anthony Stolarz to Toronto Marlies first
During the team practice last week, Stolarz told reporters that the recovery demands patience rather than a quick fix. He acknowledged the process was not the best, but stressed that his body is ready for the rigors of playing again. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube supported that, saying that while Stolarz is almost there, getting game reps is the last hurdle before a total return.Stolarz gets to play with the Marlies for a while, and that helps him to get used to the game speed without the pressure of being in an NHL game, which he has actually found to be the most difficult part after such a long break. The Marlies’ schedule conforms with Toronto’s, so Stolarz could rejoin the Leafs after only one AHL game.Toronto’s crease situation is all about timing. With Stolarz sidelined, Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have shared the goaltending responsibilities and done well, which coincides with the overall improvement of the team’s play. However, Stolarz’s contract and experience indicate that he will soon return to the NHL once after being declared fit.Stolarz’s conditioning assignment, though still a question about his form and health, is an unmistakable indication that he will be back shortly. A fit goalkeeper in the nets for the Leafs could be an encouragement at the right moment as the season progresses.