"When looking at the raw numbers behind Stolarz's four-year extension, it's tough to ignore the potential lurking there. Firstly, the Leafs were able to ink Stolarz to a four-year contract after he reportedly was insisting on a five-year deal or more. But then again, Stolarz was willing to play ball. He wanted to stay in Toronto. So, the two sides met halfway."
"Now, why is a four-year deal so significant? Well, Stolarz is 31. That's not old in real-life terms (I'm much older than that), but it's getting long in the tooth in NHL terms. Signing Stolarz for four seasons allows the Maple Leafs to keep their starting goalie for the foreseeable future, without risking the contract becoming an albatross toward its end."
"Beyond that, the going rate for a run-of-the-mill starting goalie begins at around $5 million per season. That's the sort of contract goalies like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen signed with the Buffalo Sabres. Top-flight starting goalies, such as Jake Oettinger or Jeremy Swayman, are up in the $8 million AAV range. Then, elite staters like Connor Hellebuyck, Igor Shesterkin, or Sergei Bobrovsky are past the $10 million AAV range."
Anthony Stolarz signed a four-year, $3.75 million average annual value extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs after agreeing to a shorter term than he had sought. Stolarz is 31 and the four-year length preserves team flexibility while avoiding a long-term albatross. The contract secures a starting-level goaltender for below-market cost relative to typical starting goaltender AAVs. Comparable starting goalies often earn about $5 million, top-flight starters near $8 million, and elite netminders exceed $10 million. The deal delivers cost certainty and roster stability while reflecting Stolarz's strong performance last season.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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