Maple Leafs Get Update on Anthony Stolarz's Return Timeline

   

Anthony Stolarz’s recovery from knee surgery is progressing, with NHL insider Darren Dreger providing an encouraging update on the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender while reporting on Friday.

Maple Leafs Get Update on Anthony Stolarz's Return Timeline

Stolarz, who last played on Dec. 12 against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks, underwent a procedure to remove a loose body from his knee and has been sidelined for more than a month.

Appearing on TSN Toronto 1050's "First Up" on Friday, Dreger provided an update on Stolarlz's possible timeline for a return, which might not happen until February at the earliest depending on how his recovery progresses.

“The message I was given was that everyone was hopeful he’d be playing in a game at some point in late January, but they wouldn’t be concerned if it wasn’t early February,” Dreger said.

The Leafs are taking a cautious approach to ensure Stolarz is fully healthy before his return, according to Dreger, as they wouldn't like their starter to suffer any setback or re-injure his knee.

“Just testing the leg and seeing how it feels, and slowly working your way back," Dreger said on Monday. "As soon as he can get into practice rotation, then that tells you he is real close to making a return.”

Leafs head coach Craig Berube added context over last weekend, confirming Stolarz had resumed skating and could join team practices soon without committing to a timeline.

“He’s doing well. He skated this morning,” Berube said. “I don’t really have a timeline [on his return]. Hopefully, it’s not too long. We’ll see how it keeps going, but he feels good.”

In Stolarz’s absence, Toronto has relied on Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby in net. Before suffering his injury, Stolarz put up a 9-5-2 record, a 2.15 goals-against average, and a .928 save percentage this season.

The Maple Leafs haven't missed Stolarz that much, however, currently leading the Atlantic Division with a 28-16-2 record and three points ahead of the second-place Florida Panthers in the standings.