Frankly, the “too-early-to-hit-the-panic-button” content is patronizing and overdone. People who watch the sport know they don’t need to overreact to trends after a handful of games in an 82-game season. The supposed panic pales in comparison to the cacophony of voices warning people not to panic.
Still, there are always knee-jerk narratives that set in pretty quickly. Toronto Maple Leafs fans might not be willing to write off Auston Matthews amidst a three-game pointless “slump”, but others seem ready to anoint Anthony Stolarz the new starter in net. If Joseph Woll returns to the lineup and enjoys a few strong outings, those fans could be singing a different tune.
I promise I won’t use the words “panic” or “button” again, but a few opinions about the Maple Leafs seem to be forming pretty early on in the 2024-25 campaign.
Anthony Stolarz the No. 1 Goalie
Stolarz has made the most of the opportunity created by Woll’s ill-timed lower-body injury to begin the season. The 30-year-old has been a revelation through two games, posting a 1.54 goals-against average and stopping 47 of 50 shots for a .940 save percentage. He already occupied that murky middle ground between backup and tandem goaltender, and now comes the hot takes about whether he should be No. 1.
Had Stolarz outplayed Woll through three games, it would be an extremely small sample size, but at least a reasonable argument to roll with the hot goalie. Unfortunately, an injury that may ultimately only cost Woll a few games has taken on what seems to be an outsized level of hand-wringing based on the 26-year-old’s spotty injury history.
Having a backup who can take the reins with Woll out is a nice problem to have (not to mention the encouraging NHL debut from Dennis Hildeby last week). However, that doesn’t alter the depth chart. After all, Stolarz has never played more than 28 games in a season, and if Woll continues to take steps toward a return to the lineup, this early-season absence will look like a blip in an otherwise-successful campaign.
Craig Berube Has the Leafs Playing Heavier & Tougher
Through three games, the Maple Leafs look different – and new head coach Craig Berube is central to that change. The club is adapting to his brand of simple, heavy, north-south hockey, and the early returns are encouraging. Still, let’s not get…
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