Maple Leafs get Anthony Stolarz injury timeline update from insider

Goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz did not appear in the action game for Toronto Maple Leafs since suffering the injury on Dec. 12 against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks, at Scotiabank Arena.

He underwent a knee procedure to remove a loose body, or small piece of broken bone or cartilage, in the knee and was expected to be out for at least the next four to six weeks. Since then, the Leafs have moved forward with the tandem of Joseph Wall and Dennis Hildeby.

According to NHL analyst Darren Dreger while appearing on FirstUp 1050, Stolarz’s situation is unique but that could still be a few weeks awayvia The Hockey News.

“This one is a little bit unique because it has a procedure up to the knee, but the first step is always getting back on the ice – just testing the leg and seeing how it feels and slowly working your way back up.” As soon as he can return to training, that tells you he is close to returning. The message I got was that everyone was hoping he would play in a game at some point in late January, but they wouldn’t be concerned if it wasn’t early February.

Meanwhile, coach Craig Berube hinted that Stolarz could be close to returning to the ice in practice.

“Stolarz will be a little alone.” But I expect that soon, maybe this week,” Berube said on Saturday. “Hopefully he can get out on the ice and do some things.” With us (in practice), I don’t know yet.”

The The Maple Leafs are next in action against the Dallas Stars at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night; the opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.

Anthony Stolar is in his first season with the Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs signed Stolarz to a two-year, $5 million deal in the offseason after he had just won a Stanley Cup as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup with the Florida Panthers, and impressed with a 9-5-2, 2.15 goals-against-average, and .928 save percentage with one shutout.

Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 45th pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Stolarz also played for the Anaheim Ducks in addition to the Panthers and Flyers. He also represented the United States on the international stage.