By Nhl Trade Talk

Copyright yardbarker

As the NHL season approaches, negotiations between the Toronto Maple Leafs and goaltender Anthony Stolarz remain ongoing, with both sides reportedly willing to reach a deal but still working through key details. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts Podcast, the main sticking point isn’t term but the contract’s dollar value.

“Term doesn’t seem to be the issue here,” Friedman said, noting that a three- or four-year deal appears likely. “The challenge for Toronto is that Stolarz really has a lot of leverage. He’s indicated he doesn’t want this to go into the season, and he can bet on himself at a time when there aren’t a lot of other goalies available.” Friedman highlighted that with top netminders like Jeremy Swayman, Jake Otteinger, Spencer Knight, and Kevin Lankinen already locked up, Stolarz can afford to wait and potentially increase his value.

Stolarz himself has echoed the sentiment of focusing on hockey once the season begins. “Once the season starts, [hockey is] all I want to focus on, and that’s kind of all I want my attention to be,” he said. “I’m going to let my agent and [GM] Brad Treliving talk that out, and hopefully we can get something done here soon.”