Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz revealed that he was suffering from a nerve issue, and should be back in the lineup shortly, according to Sportsnet’s Anna Dua.
Anthony Stolarz said it was a nerve issue that kept him out. Feels good, thinks it’ll be a “couple more practices” before he’s ready to be back
— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) January 16, 2026
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Stolarz has been out of the lineup since leaving a November 11 game against the Boston Bruins due to a previously undisclosed upper-body injury. The veteran goaltender has been skating with the team during this week’s road trip, and is progressing towards an unspecified return date. Stolarz posted a 6-5-1 record in 13 appearances this season, with a .884 save percentage.
After head coach Craig Berube revealed Stolarz suffered a setback in his recovery on November 20, the goaltender went and saw a specialist, before carefully working his way back into practice sessions.
“I don’t have a date like targeted, but he’s on this trip so he can get time with us and be around us and get practice time with us. So, that’s good,” Berube said prior to Monday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. “I think he’s getting pretty close. Just needs the reps, needs the conditioning, that sort of thing.”
Assuming Stolarz will require ‘a few practices’ as he stated, it seems possible that he could return for Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, although the Leafs are exercising full caution.
Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have both performed admirably in Stolarz’s absence. Hildeby is projected to start Saturday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, after Woll started Thursday’s overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Throughout the year, the Maple Leafs faced several injuries and received some worrisome news on Friday. William Nylander is doubtful to play Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets, after aggravating a lower-body injury during the first period of Thursday’s game. Nylander previously missed six games with the lower-body injury and returned to the lineup on January 10 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Toronto will conclude its four-game road trip Saturday, before hosting the Minnesota Wild on Monday.
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