Ex-Leaf JS Giguere has surprising take on the inexperienced Woll/Stolarz tandem
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski - USA Today Sports
Former Maple Leafs goaltender JS Giguere shares surprising take on the inexperienced goalie tandem in Toronto, comprised of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.
After years of inconsistency in net, the Toronto Maple Leafs are pivoting towards a new tandem in Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz this season in the hope that they can provide stability at the ever-important goaltending position.
Frederick Andersen, Jack Campbell, Petr Mrazek and Ilya Samsonov couldn't help the Leafs get over the hump for a variety of reasons. This year they're handing the keys to a tandem that has combined for 144 games played and 117 starts in the NHL. Nevertheless, Woll is tabbed as the future of the Leafs' blue paint and Stolarz is coming off of a season where he led the league in both save percentage and goals against average.
Former Maple Leafs' goaltender and NHL champion, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, made an appearance on the "Leafs Morning Take" podcast with Nick Alberga and Carter Hutton this week to discuss his thoughts on the tandem heading into an important 2024-25 season.
"I really love Woll, I like the way he plays and I think he's definitely the goalie of the future for the Leafs and I'm a little bit worried with his lack of experience, I think only being 25, being probably number one goalie in Toronto, it's a lot to ask out of you. I think his technique and his size and all that, I think he can do it, there's no doubt in my mind that he's a good goalie."
He then discusses his thoughts on Stolarz who comes to Toronto with only 108 games of NHL experience across 7 seasons with 4 different teams:
"... and with Stolarz, doesn't have a whole lot of experience himself, only 108 games in the NHL and although he's 30-years-old, he's won the Cup this year so that'll give him some experience, and he's a really good proven number 2 goalie, but going into the season with the pressure you have in Toronto, for sure you have your reservations but they're 2 capable goalies and if you can surround with them some good veterans and defense, I say why not, they can do it."
One positive about the Woll and Stolarz duo is that they come in at a very cheap combined price of $3.27 million AAV this season. The pressure in Toronto is always present and some can handle it very well, while others tend to shrink under the limelight. On paper, the Leafs have a very strong duo in goal but it remains to be seen if they can handle the bulk of a gruelling NHL season.
Health remains the biggest crutch for Woll but if he can handle 45-55 starts, that will leave Stolarz in line for 30-35 starts, which would be more than perfect for the Leafs. They also have Matt Murray as a third option should they need veteran help, but all eyes will be laser focused on Woll and Stolarz in 2024-25.
Source for Joseph Woll's statistics: Hockey-Reference
Joseph Woll
Joseph Woll
Source for Anthony Stolarz's statistics: Hockey-Reference
Anthony Stolarz
Anthony Stolarz
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 12 | 447 ANSWERS Ex-Leaf JS Giguere has surprising take on the inexperienced Woll/Stolarz tandem On a scale of 1-0, how confident are you in the Woll-Stolarz tandem? | ||
| 0-3 | 43 | 9.6 % |
| 4-6 | 132 | 29.5 % |
| 7-9 | 243 | 54.4 % |
| 10 | 29 | 6.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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