Three teams that could acquire anthony stolarz from the maple leafs this offseason

The toronto maple leafs enter the 2026 offseason with a clear mandate under new general manager john chayka. Big changes are coming, and one area of surplus sits in net. With four goalies on the roster, including joseph woll, anthony stolarz, dennis hildeby and artur akhtyamov, the leafs have the luxury of moving one for draft picks and prospects.

Stolarz stands out as the most tradeable piece. His experience, recent success and manageable contract make him attractive to teams seeking goaltending stability. Here are three clubs that could make sense as potential destinations.

Edmonton oilers

The oilers have endured a rough stretch in net. Tristan jarry has struggled since arriving from pittsburgh, turning what looked like a solid acquisition into one of the more regrettable recent trades. Connor ingram heads into unrestricted free agency this summer, leaving edmonton in need of a reliable option behind the stars.

Stolarz already has history with the organization from a brief 2018-19 stint. At 32, he could view a move to edmonton as a prime chance to chase a stanley cup alongside connor mcdavid and leon draisaitl. The opportunity to play in a high-powered offense might outweigh any concerns about his modified no-trade clause.

Edmonton general manager stan bowman faces cap and asset constraints, with no first-round pick until 2028. Creative deal-making will be required. Still, stolarz’s $3.75 million cap hit represents excellent value for an experienced netminder who could immediately upgrade the position.

The oilers’ window is now, and adding stolarz could help stabilize the crease without breaking the bank.

Florida panthers

A division-rival trade always carries extra complications, yet the panthers and leafs could still find common ground. Florida owns just one first-round pick over the next three drafts, and that selection sits at ninth overall this year. Toronto would love the chance to add another top-nine pick to accelerate its rebuild.

Stolarz won a cup with the panthers in 2023-24 and might welcome a return to familiar surroundings. Even if sergei bobrovsky remains the starter, stolarz could serve as a capable tandem partner and ease the veteran’s workload heading into free agency.

The panthers currently hold $15.2 million in cap space, more than enough to absorb stolarz’s hit. A strong package from general manager bill zito could prove difficult for chayka to decline, especially if it includes the assets toronto needs to get younger.

While geography and division alignment make it unlikely, the fit on paper remains intriguing for both sides.

Philadelphia flyers

Among the three potential suitors, the flyers appear to be the strongest match. Veteran dan vladar posted solid numbers in his first season in philadelphia, but young samuel ersson struggled. Stolarz would bring proven experience and could slot in as the clear number-one option for a team on the rise.

The flyers enjoy roughly $38.4 million in cap space, giving them ample room to take on stolarz’s contract. Philadelphia also holds four first-round picks over the next three drafts, including toronto’s own 2028 selection. Reacquiring that pick would help the leafs stockpile assets for the future.

As a new jersey native, stolarz would feel right at home in philadelphia. Moving him out of the atlantic division also ensures he won’t become a long-term problem for toronto.

General manager daniel briere could view stolarz as the experienced hand needed to push the flyers forward. In return, the leafs would gain the youth and draft capital required to reshape their roster.

A deal sending stolarz to philadelphia offers the cleanest path forward for both clubs. The flyers gain a battle-tested goaltender while toronto reloads for sustained contention. Trades that benefit everyone involved tend to get completed, and this one checks all the boxes.