{"id":196331,"date":"2025-09-17T07:59:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/196331\/"},"modified":"2025-09-17T07:59:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:59:19","slug":"rumours-on-upcoming-toronto-maple-leaf-ufa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/196331\/","title":{"rendered":"Rumours On Upcoming Toronto Maple Leaf UFA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another episode of NHL Rumours with us here at Last Word On Hockey, and for this one we travel to Leaf land. The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> are the source of our rumours, and we discuss one of their up-and-comers, probably better suited as \u2018have arrived\u2019 players. So, let\u2019s check out what will happen when the cheque-books open, and he gets to pick his value, within reason.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours: The Leafs and We Discuss Future UFA<\/p>\n

Rumour: Today we check in with the big boss, and Elliotte Friedman from 32 Thoughts the Podcast<\/a>. Friedman was pontificating on what dollar amount could be in the UFA\u2019s future, specifically referencing a recent comparable.<\/p>\n

Analysis: If you haven\u2019t figured it out yet, we are referring to Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz<\/a>. From what Friedman suggested, it does make sense. The Leafs don\u2019t want him leaving and he is going to get a fair offer, in all likelihood.<\/p>\n

Friedman opened the conversation, with Stolarz rating as an NHL goaltender. Stolarz actually led the entire NHL with a .926 save percentage in 2024-25. Also, he had a terrific record at 21-8-3 that included four shutouts. So, the idea is that he is in the conversation as an NHL starter, at the very least a 1-A calibre backstop.<\/p>\n

However, Stolarz is not without his possible flaws. He\u2019s battled through injuries throughout his career, and everyone\u2019s now hoping that\u2019s in the rearview. At 31-years-old, last year was actually his NHL career high in games played (34). Therefore, the Leaf management would use that as a bargaining tool through his negotiations. This upcoming year\u2019s success will play a big role in what he ultimately signs for.<\/p>\n

After All, It Is a Numbers Game<\/p>\n

From our NHL Rumours, big picture for the Leafs, the situation between Stolarz and Joseph Woll<\/a> is ideal. Within the negotiation process, that will factor in as well. Woll currently makes $3.67 million per season, until the summer of 2028. They need to land on a number that is fair for Stolarz and fits for the team dynamic.<\/p>\n

The one recent comp that Friedman mentioned was Spencer Knight<\/a> of the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>. Knight\u2019s situation is a bit different, as he is younger and was a restricted free agent. However, his dollar amount around $5.8 million annually, could be seen as something to based Stolarz price-tag on. Knight would fit the bill of that starter, 1-A type calibre. Not to mention the fact, that this deal just happened, and covers the next few years. That is important as we are all anticipating a salary cap increase and a possible change in the dynamic for contract dollar amounts.<\/p>\n

Even David Pagnotta, from the Fourth Period<\/a> weighed in on the situation recently, suggesting that there\u2019s still lot\u2019s of work yet to come to get a deal signed, sealed, and delivered. Stolarz would clearly want to optimize his value. At his age, he is only going to get a shot or two left at decent pay. He\u2019s in Toronto and in the conversation for number one, that means something. He\u2019s going to have to keep in mind the team dynamic, but don\u2019t look for him to take much of a bargain deal. Negotiations could come down to the wire, but if they do, we can say it was somewhat expected.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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