As training camp gets underway, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is feeling good as he gears up for a big year.
Entering the final season of a two-year deal, the netminder is in talks with the team to get an extension done to stay in Toronto past next summer. On Wednesday, GM Brad Treliving seemed to imply the two parties were closing in on a deal. Speaking at camp Thursday, Stolarz echoed the sentiment, sharing why he wants to get pen to paper before October.
“Our ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup, so once the season starts, that’s all I want to focus on,” Stolarz said. “I’ll let my agent and Treliving talk that out and hopefully we can get something done here soon.”
Last season, Stolarz played a career-high 34 games, with a 21-8-3 record. Despite missing some time due to injury, he mostly split the net evenly with Joseph Woll. Posting a .926 SV%, a 2.14 GAA, and four shutouts, Stolarz later earned the starter spot for the postseason. Unfortunately, that was cut short when he suffered a concussion in the opening match against the Florida Panthers in the second round.
“It was kinda the first time I’ve been eliminated in the playoffs,” Stolarz said. “It puts a bad taste in your mouth and motivates you over the summer to go out there and continue to work. I put a lot of work in this summer on the ice and off the ice. I can feel the translation from that already into camp.”
He went on to share that his off ice focus this summer was on his foot speed, strength and conditioning (he put on five pounds since last year), and cardio. On the ice, it was all about fine-tuning his skills, including tracking and angles.
Meanwhile, after so much has been made of the pressures of playing in Toronto, Stolarz was also asked Thursday how he manages to keep such a cool demeanour in facing tough situations.
“I’m just a laid-back guy,” Stolarz said. “I kind of look at it as if I’m playing in the best men’s league in the world.”
It’s the right kind of attitude heading into a big season for Stolarz and the Maple Leafs, as the 31-year-old goaltender looks to lead Toronto to ultimate glory this year. And if an extension can get done before the puck is dropped on October 8th, he can focus all his attention on getting that job done.