‘Quick as possible’: Maple Leafs’ Anthony Stolarz talks surgery, looming return
Anthony Stolarz wants to return to the NHL the way he left it nearly seven weeks ago: on top. Ideally, the Maple Leafs goalie will be back before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
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TORONTO — Anthony Stolarz wants to return to the NHL the way he left it nearly seven weeks ago: on top.
The more experienced half of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ stellar yet unproven goaltending tandem still maintains the league lead in save percentage (.927) among those with at least 10 appearances.
And now that his right knee has responded well from surgery to remove a loose “pebble” that was hindering his movement, Stolarz will get the greenlight once his strength and conditioning are up to par.
“Kind of sucks, obviously, not playing. And we were playing pretty well when I went down. So, just to be able to get back out there, be able to practise with the guys again, be around the group, it’s been a lot of fun so far,” said an upbeat Stolarz on Tuesday, following his first full team practice.
“There’s no cardio like playing hockey in a real, 60-minute game — especially as a goalie. So, I feel good, and it’s just about getting that cardio back.”
As is the Maple Leafs’ way, no one will publicly place a target date for Stolarz to seize the crease, but coach Craig Berube says, ideally, Stolarz can play before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
That would mean alleviating some pressure from partner Joseph Woll, who has already set a career high with 26 games played and whose workload is being managed diligently.
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That would also mean Stolarz getting in a start (or two?) during next week’s four-game tour through Western Canada and Seattle and picking up on the most impressive season of his eight-year career.
“That’s an unfortunate time to get an injury. But he’s a guy that battles through adversity well, take care of himself, and wants to get back on the ice and help the team win games,” Mitch Marner said.
Added Chris Tanev: “He’s played a played a long time now, and he knows what his body needs. And obviously works extremely hard. So, whenever he’s available for us, it’ll be great. Obviously, Joe has been incredible for us too. But maybe give him a little break when Stollie gets back.”
Stolarz was aware of the “loose body” in his knee when he signed with the Maple Leafs, and he felt the pebble-sized material move during action against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 12. After meeting with doctors, everyone decided to wait a few days, hoping the “pebble” would move into a more comfortable place and the goalie could straighten his leg.
When that didn’t happen, surgery was the answer — again.
“I’ve dealt with it before, so I think that’s kind of helped (mentally). But it’s just one of those things you can’t control,” Stolarz said, matter-of-factly.
“Now it’s up to me to kind of get back up to back up to par with where I was before. So just working hard in practice, trying to make the most of my reps, and trying to get back as quick as possible.”
A diehard sports fanatic, Stolarz bided his time between muscle-building rehab sessions by watching football, attending Raptors games, and cheering on Woll and the Maple Leafs from the medical room.
Woll’s consistency (.907 save percentage, same as last season’s) has impressed his sidelined partner.
“He’s made a number of acrobatic saves at the right time to either keep us in a game or hold on to the lead,” Stolarz said. “He’s done a fantastic job. And so has (Matt Murray) and (Dennis Hildeby). Obviously, it’s not an easy spot.
“We’re still in first place in the Atlantic. So anytime you’re first place, it’s usually a good thing.”
Just where he left them.
Pacioretty returns from injury, again
In hindsight, Max Pacioretty admits, he probably knew he was unfit to play hockey immediately after a hard Auston Matthews shot crashed into his head and he glided to the bench in pain on Jan. 18.
But Pacioretty pushed through that night in a dramatic 7-3 comeback win in Montreal over the club he once captained.
“I was pretty grumpy the rest of the game. I wasn’t talking or eating for a little bit. But feel good now,” Pacioretty explained Tuesday, after taking rushes on the third line and jumping into the bumper spot on the top power-play unit.
Pacioretty is on track to return from his second injury as a Leaf on Wednesday versus the Minnesota Wild.
With Toronto missing two top-six forwards to injury and scoring hard to come by in consecutive losses, Pacioretty’s return is a welcome one. The veteran needs just three more regular-season appearances to unlock a $313,115 salary bonus for 35 games played.
The sense is, Pacioretty may have pushed for an earlier return had this been mid-April, not mid-January.
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“Given the circumstances, better be smart right now and make sure that when I do return, I feel 100 per cent. And I think that’s kind of the goal, and why they’ve put a lot of emphasis on those injuries and protection of the players. So, I just wanted to get back to feeling confident. I feel confident right now,” the 36-year-old explained.
“You see a break coming up, and you … don’t want to risk everything right now and put all your eggs in one basket and get to the break and not feel good. So, if it’s playoffs, it’s another situation, and guys probably play through a bit more. But right now, guys are being really smart, I think. And the team is as well, making sure that guys don’t play too banged up. And I think my situation is one of those.”
Persevering though an onslaught of physical adversity, Pacioretty arrived in Toronto under the cloud of being injury prone. But there’s not much any athlete can do in the gym to avoid a puck in the head.
So, you won’t catch Pacioretty lamenting his bad luck.
“That’s life,” he shrugged. “You go to the net, you’re gonna get hit.”
One-Timers: Minnesota will travel to Toronto without its MVP. Kirill Kaprizov is undergoing surgery on a lower-body injury and will be sidelined at least four weeks …. The injured John Tavares, Matthew Knies, Calle Järnkrok, and Jacob Quillan skated in a small group before practice working their way back. Tavares and Knies are not expected to play Wednesday but should join the team on its Western Canada road trip …. Brendan Shanahan says he regrets not bringing his skates to Monday’s outdoor practice in Mimico.
Maple Leafs projected lineup Wednesday vs. Minnesota Wild
McMann – Matthews – Marner
Domi – Holmberg – Nylander
Pacioretty – Minten – Robertson
Lorentz – Kämpf – Reaves
Rielly – McCabe
Ekman-Larsson – Tanev
Benoit – Myers
Woll
Murray
