Maple Leafs Notebook: Why Anthony Stolarz signed; Berube tips opening lineup

TORONTO — Sorry, Nick Robertson.

Apologies, Calle Järnkrok.

Stay patient, Michael Pezzetta.

Condolences, David Kämpf.

Only 12 forwards can dress for the Toronto Maple Leafs on opening night, and it sure looks like the kid has grabbed the last seat on the bus.

High-scoring junior star Easton Cowan’s swift ability to reimagine himself as a fourth-liner — and mesh with fellow OHL alumni Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton — has the 20-year-old on track to make the cut and knock a quartet of veterans out of next week’s starting lineup.

“Cowan has come in and done a really good job of fighting for a spot — and so have our other guys,” says Leafs coach Craig Berube, who has struggled to disguise his affinity for Cowan’s competitiveness. “There’s nobody that we’re disappointed in. It’s just decisions that we’re going to have to make: What’s the best fit for our team and what gives us the best opportunity to win games?”

Third camp’s the charm.

Unlike Kämpf, who is only seen as a 4C, or Robertson, whose best weapons calls for power-play time and O-zone shifts, Cowan views himself as a grinding, skilled winger who can contribute on both special teams and on any line.

The 20-year-old is quick to note he cracked the London Knights in 2022 as a bottom-sixer before developing into a Memorial Cup MVP. He made that pitch to Berube: Start me on Line 4. Let me earn my promotions. 

“It’s something you could do here as well,” Cowan says. “Start in the bottom six and you can always work your way up. Whether I’m in the bottom six or top six, I can bring something to the table, whether that’s finishing checks, power play, penalty kill. I’m a good overall player and can play anywhere in the lineup.”

The Leafs are urging the crafty playmaker not to overreach, to play a simple and safe style. Chip, chase, check.

“Just stay consistent in what you’re doing,” Berube advises. “I get it. He’s used to scoring and making plays and getting points. That doesn’t always happen right away. It takes time for that to happen. And I’m not too worried about that. I’m more focused on the type of game he’s playing. He’s doing a good job for us right now.

“You don’t want him to get too comfortable and try things that will hurt him more than help him.”

The Maple Leafs’ core NHL group practised in full for the first time Monday before heading to Muskoka for some team bonding, golf, plus a community practice in Bracebridge, Ont.

Toronto is still carrying the four aforementioned extra forwards, plus depth D-men Philippe Myers, Henry Thrun, and Dakota Mermis. Berube joked that the team is “still a little big,” while rolling out his projected opening night roster:

Knies – Matthews – Domi

McMann – Tavares – Nylander 

Joshua – Roy – Maccelli

Lorentz – Laughton – Cowan

McCabe – Tanev

Carlo – Rielly

Ekman-Larsson – Benoit

Stolarz

Hildeby

A surprise injury or trade could still affect the landscape, but expect this group to dress for Thursday’s rehearsal versus the Detroit Red Wings, then rest up for Oct. 8’s home opener.

It’s a testament to Cowan’s attitude and adaptability that he’s on track for his long-awaited NHL debut.

“You can see the confidence has always been there. He’s a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger. The pace doesn’t really affect him. Like, he’s keeping up with the pace really well,” Leafs captain Auston Matthews says. “He’s the kind of player that can slow the game down and speed it up when he has to. And when he’s on the ice and he has the puck on his stick, he can make a lot happen, and he can do a lot of different things to control the game.

“It’s been a lot of fun to see him progress over the last three years, from when he was first drafted to where he is at now. And his ceiling is going to continue to grow.”

Why Stolarz signed early

How refreshing for Toronto fans this must be, to learn that No. 1 goalie Anthony Stolarz re-signed for four years and a cap-friendly $15 million partly because he gets recognized when he goes out to dinner and strolls the city’s streets.

“One of the reasons I stayed is the passion of fan base,” says a Stolarz beaming Monday morning, the ink on his longest and richest contract not yet dry for 24 hours.

“It’s pretty special to look out in the stands and see people with your jersey on. You know, I thought coming in last year I was kinda the guy that was in the background a little bit. Looking up and being able to see ‘Stolarz’ jerseys and all the kids that had signs, it really makes you think back to when I was a kid going to New Jersey Devils practices and watching Martin Brodeur. 

“Their loyalty and passion towards us is obviously a huge part in all this. And I’m looking forward to giving back.”

The best way for Stolarz to give back is simply to stay healthy and consistent over the tenure of his deal, which expires in 2030. He’ll be 36. 

Wielding more leverage than ever in his career, what with a spiking cap and a weak UFA 2026 goalie class, Stolarz could have played out his contract season.

Another performance in the ballpark of 2024-25’s 21-win, .926-save-percentage breakout and Stolarz certainly could have commanded a higher AAV than the $3.75 million he agreed to Sunday, in consultation with his family and agent Allain Roy.

“You obviously have those thoughts,” he says. “But, at the end of the day, this is where I wanted to be. Last summer, this organization showed a lot of faith in me to sign me into a two-year contract. And everything has been first class, and I’ve really enjoyed my stay here. So, for me, if something could be worked out where I could stay long term and be a part of this group, I thought it was a win-win.”

Monday’s skate began with joyful stick-taps for the goaltender’s frontload payday and concluded with Matthews nudging Stolarz into centre ice to lead the team’s stretch circle.

“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Matthew says. “He’s the guy you go out there and block shots, do whatever it takes to make his job a little bit easier. Definitely a guy that you really appreciate and want in your corner at all times.”

Though amicable, Stolarz’s extension negotiation was a grinding one that began in early August and didn’t wrap until a little more than a week before the goalie’s soft deadline. 

His case is unique: stellar stats but never a full starter’s workload.

It gives the player peace of mind: steady employment, immediate trade protection, and frontloaded money. 

It gives the Leafs, arguably, the best bang-for-your-buck tandem in Stolarz and Joseph Woll ($7.42 million total in 2026-27 and 2027-28) and expires when, Leafs management hopes, prospects Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov are ready for prime time.

“The number is a good number for us and gives Anthony some security, so happy to get it done,” Treliving says.

“He hasn’t played a 50-game season. But we’re set up that you don’t necessarily need to have that, right? And we think the depth we have at the position allows us to get good goaltending every night.”

Business accomplished, Stolarz should sleep well every night leading up to next Wednesday, when he’ll glance up in the stands and probably see a few more fans rocking their No. 41 threads.

“It makes you feel wanted. And I’m looking forward to getting the season started here with the guys and just being a part of the core and being part of a group that is committed to winning,” Stolarz says of the deal.

“It’s huge. That’s why you play the game. You want to feel secure, and you want to feel wanted in your city and be able to have your family there long-term. It’s gonna be nice to go home and leave things here now. So, it’s exciting for sure. I wanted to make this work from the beginning, so I’m excited we got it done.”

One-Timers: Bobby McMann and Kämpf returned to the ice after missing Saturday’s practice because of maintenance. … Simon Benoit (upper body) is still wearing a red, no-contact sweater but sure looks like a guy who will be ready for opening night. … James Reimer (PTO) did not practice with the main group nor travel to Muskoka on the Leafs’ team bonding excursion. He’ll stay in Toronto, get up to speed by taking shots in Marlies practice. … Berube on the hockey mentality of Blue Jays outfielder George Springer: “He loved it. He said, ‘I wanted to play hockey.’ Back in Connecticut, he played as a young kid, and he just loved running over guys. He probably would’ve been a good player for us. We like those type of guys.”