The Toronto Maple Leafs have received concerning news regarding goaltender Anthony Stolarz, whose early-season difficulties have taken a negative turn with the revelation that his injury is more severe than the team initially assessed.
Injury Timeline and Setback Revelation
Stolarz has been absent from the ice since November 11, 2025, when he suffered an upper-body injury during the first period of a game against the Boston Bruins. Initially, coach Craig Berube downplayed the severity of the situation, suggesting the injury wasn't serious.
However, the prolonged absence raised questions, leading to a status update from Berube on November 20. The coach revealed the sobering truth: "Worse than we thought," Berube stated. "He's not ready to get on the ice yet, do the things that he has needed to do. Hopefully it's soon."
Berube confirmed there hasn't been a specific setback in Stolarz's recovery. Instead, the team simply underestimated the injury's seriousness from the beginning. The coach admitted he has no clear timetable for the goaltender's return to practice, offering only a tentative "Maybe tomorrow he will be back on the ice, I'm not sure."
Performance Context and Team Impact
Before his injury, Stolarz was struggling to replicate his outstanding performance from the previous season, where he led the entire NHL with a .926 save percentage. Through 13 games in the 2025-26 season, his statistics have significantly declined, recording a 6-5-1 record with an .884 save percentage.
Unlike the previous season where he frequently bailed out his team, Stolarz had not provided that same level of security in net for the Maple Leafs during the current campaign. His early-season challenges included publicly calling out teammates following an overtime loss against the Seattle Kraken on October 18.
Silver Lining in Woll's Return
The team's saving grace has been the timely return of Joseph Woll from personal leave. Woll has stepped into the starting role effectively, posting a .934 save percentage in his first two starts back. He was scheduled to make his third consecutive start against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 20.
Berube expressed confidence in Woll's current condition, noting "He seems fine, he feels good. He feels like he has great energy out there, it's good to hear from him."
The Maple Leafs' goaltending situation has seen other movements, with Dennis Hildeby performing adequately in limited backup action, while Cayden Primeau struggled in three appearances before being reclaimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes on November 8.
When Stolarz eventually returns to health, his primary focus will need to be rediscovering the form that made him one of the league's most effective goaltenders last season, whether that requires rebuilding confidence, sharpening his technical skills, or addressing both areas simultaneously.
