Now in year two of his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, general manager Brad Treliving's roster blueprint is beginning to take shape.
His offseason transactions saw the Leafs bolster their back end with some size and remake their goaltending depth chart. Defenseman Chris Tanev was the most noteworthy addition, but blueliners Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jani Hakanpaa were also added.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was signed as a free agent from the Cup-winning Florida Panthers to play in tandem and provide competition for presumed number-one netminder Joseph Woll. Veterans Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty were each signed to a professional tryout (PTO) and used the preseason to earn spots on the team.
The Maple Leafs are just a few games into the 2024-2025 season, but their offseason acquisitions have already been profitable.
Stolarz making the most of his opportunity
It didn't take long for concern to set in over Woll's injury history. Hours before the Maple Leafs season opener in Montreal against the Canadiens, the goaltender was deemed unfit to start and soon after was placed on Injured Reserve (IR).
With three games in four nights to begin the year, questions hovered over the Leafs goaltending situation. Stolarz was bumped up to the starting job against the Canadians and played solid in defeat.
Hot prospect Dennis Hildeby earned the start in game two of the back-to-back against the New Jersey Devils in their home opener. Hildeby's excellent play during the preseason gave the Leafs confidence to play his first NHL game rather than risk exposing veteran Matt Murray to waivers a second time.
Stolarz was back in the net for Toronto's home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins and responded with 21 saves on 23 shots for the victory. His early season numbers are excellent. Stolarz has a .940 save percentage, a goals-against average of 1.54, plus a goals-saved-above-expected of 2.0. (All stats courtesy of hockeyreference.com)
This is exactly what Treliving and the Maple Leafs envisioned when they signed Stolarz. They saw a goalie with potential, hungry for an opportunity to play more.
His outstanding play also buys the Leafs more time to let Woll recover fully from his injury. Toronto only plays two games this week before the schedule gets busy again. Stolarz can play against the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers with two off days between games.
Stolarz provides the Leafs with a capable starting goaltender whenever Woll is absent. It may end up being Treliving's most important offseason move.
Tanev and Ekman-Larsson uplifting the Leafs defense
Tanev is doing what was expected of him so far. His defensive contributions include leading the team's defense in time on ice while playing shorthanded. The early returns show a slight uptick in the Leafs penalty-killing, but it's the 5v5 breakouts that make the Leafs play less defense when he's on the ice that are the real draw of Tanev's game. Tanev has also blocked 10 shots, leading the team.
Ekman-Larsson is playing in a top-four role, at least for now. He leads the Maple Leafs defensemen in ice time through the first three games, playing in all situations. He rejuvenated his career last season in the Mark Giordano role with the Panthers and has so far done well in an elevated role with the Leafs.
Both will have to overcome the obstacles of stiffer competition and the long grind of an NHL season as players over thirty. To this point, though, they are performing exactly as the Leafs hoped.
Another Treliving acquisition, Lorentz, is also making a significant contribution. He has brought a physical presence to the fourth line and is second on the team with six hits. He, too, is part of the team's penalty-killing units.
The Toronto Maple Leafs 2024-2025 NHL season is in its infancy, but most of Treliving's offseason investments are proving their worth. For that, he deserves credit.