Giguere played for the Maple Leafs for parts of two seasons from 2009-2011.
A significant question mark for the Toronto Maple Leafs heading into NHL free agency was not only how the club would address it’s defensive strategy but also how they would solidify their last line of defense in net. With presumed starter Joseph Woll having a track record of shoulder, ankle, and back injuries in ‘22, ‘23, and ‘24, the Leafs had to decide whether to pursue a certified starter or put their trust in Woll and add a proven ‘1b’ to the tandem.
As we now know, the Leafs opted to take the latter route. The club signed Woll to a three-year, $10.98 million contract extension and added Anthony Stolarz, who had a notable record of 16-7-2, with a 2.03 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in the 2023-24 season. With some expressing their uncertainty around the newly formed tandem, former Maple Leafs goaltender, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, weighed in on Toronto’s situation in net.
On Leafs Morning Take Thursday with Nick Alberga and Carter Hutton, Giguere started by conveying both admiration and concern for the Maple Leafs' number one goalie, Woll, who he believes can form into a legitimate number one in Toronto.
“I really love Woll. I like the way he plays; I think he’s definitely the goalie of the future for the Leafs,” said Giguere.
“I am a little bit worried about his lack of experience. I think only being 25 and being the number one goalie in Toronto, it’s a lot. His technique, his size, I think he can do it. There is no doubt in my mind that he’s a good goalie.”
Giguere is familiar with the pressure of playing in one of the NHL’s biggest markets, having played for the Leafs for parts of two seasons from 2009-2011. His concerns are not unfounded, either, and has good reason to believe the weight of expectations can be a heavy burden for any player, let alone one with limited NHL experience. Woll, who played in a career-high of 25 games in 2023-24, is still relatively untested as the solidified number one starter for an entire 82-game plus season.
Pairing him with another netminder with a lack of experience, only having played 109 games in the NHL, raises some concern. However, as Giguere points out, the Leafs added arguably the best ‘1b’ option on the open market in Stolarz, who is fresh off a Stanley Cup championship. Adding more stability on the blueline with Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson can significantly help in keeping the new duo protected and, more importantly, healthy for the long term.
“With Stolarz, he doesn’t have a whole lot of experience himself, only 109 games in the NHL. Although he’s 30 years old, he’s won the (Stanley) Cup this year, so that will give him some experience,” said Giguere. “He’s a really good proven number two goalie, but going into the season with the pressure you have in Toronto, for sure you have your reservations. But they are two capable goalies, and I think if they can surround themselves with some good veterans, which is what I think they are trying to do, I say why not. They can do it.”
Giguere was one of the best goalies of his era, becoming the 5th player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (2003) while failing to win the Stanley Cup, posting a 15-6 record with a 1.62 goals against average and a .945 save percentage. A few years later, he would get his Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. Throughout his 16-year career, he certainly learned how important a high-calibered goaltending tandem can be to championship success.
For the Leafs, his views highlight the dual nature of their current goaltending situation. While Woll's potential is evident, his lack of extensive experience leaves some uncertainty. Stolarz, on the other hand, brings a mix of experience and recent success that could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
Still months out from the start of the 2024-25 campaign, the insights from a seasoned goaltender like Giguere provide a unique perspective on the balance of challenges and potential the current goaltending duo in Toronto faces.
