Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz remains sidelined and without a timeline for returning to the ice.
But head coach Craig Berube said Friday that he is not ready to label Stolarz’s upper-body injury as season-ending.
“I wouldn’t go there,” Berube said when asked if Stolarz could be shut down for good.
Stolarz was injured during a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 11 and hasn’t skated since. Berube admitted on Nov. 20 that the injury was “worse than we thought,” but was hopeful at that time Stolarz would skate in the coming days.
In 13 games this season, Stolarz is 6-5-1 with a goals-against average of 3.51 and an .884 save percentage. He is in his ninth NHL season, having previously suited up for the Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.
A native of Edison, NJ, Stolarz signed a four-year, $15 million extension with the Leafs in September.
The Maple Leafs are currently without their top two goaltenders with Joseph Woll sidelined with a lower-body injury, but drawing closer to a return. While he has resumed skating with the team, Berube said Woll will not dress for the Maple Leafs when they play the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Dennis Hildeby has been a revelation in net following his recall from the AHL, posting a 2-2-3 record with a .933 save percentage and a 2.25 GAA.
Artur Akhtyamov has been dressing as Toronto’s backup but has yet to appear in a game with the Maple Leafs.
