The Blackhawks are intelligently targeting a quality backup goalie in free agency and Stanley Cup winner Stolarz is at the top of their list.
The Chicago Blackhawks appear to be one of three teams in the running for Stanley Cup winning goalie Anthony Stolarz in free agency. The other two, reported by Darren Dreger, are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.
He was the backup for the Panthers in 2023-24 and had a stellar season in net posting a 16-7-2 record with a 2.03 GAA, .925 SV%, and two shutouts. Stolarz's quality start % was .708 for the Panthers, well above the line that is considered good in a season.
If the Blackhawks are able to bring in Stolarz, this would determine the tandem in goal for at least next season with Petr Mrazek starting and Stolarz backing up. Given Stolarz's numbers through the first 108 games of his NHL career over seven years, the 30-year-old seems capable of getting a larger role.
Chicago is the perfect place for him to earn that as Mrazek shouldn't be starting over 55 games and does need more breaks throughout the season after partially carrying the team on his back in 2023-24. Having a capable backup on the team may also come in huge if Mrazek struggles with injuries like he has in his career. The hope is that doesn't happen, but being prepared isn't a bad thing.
Stolarz has a 2.69 GAA and .915 SV% in his career. The Blackhawks didn't get quality goaltending behind Mrazek and had to lean on him heavily to hold the team in games and win games. Signing Stolarz would give Chicago another strong option in net that they can turn to and ultimately lead to more wins and a better season for the Blackhawks.
This would mean 24-year-old Arvid Soderblom would get more reps back in the AHL as he was in over his head last season sporting a 5-22-2 record with a 3.92 GAA and .879 SV%. Soderblom is still exempt from waivers, so making a play for a backup goalie like Stolarz makes a ton of sense for Chicago.
