Well, it might just be another defining moment in what has been an abysmal year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. From their rough start to the season to injury woes and a tumultuous trade deadline led by the now-fired Brad Treliving, the Maple Leafs have had arguably one of the most adversity riddled seasons in the NHL.
So, it’s no surprise that on Wednesday in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Washington Capitals that the team was once again dealt blow after blow after blow – in the form of three more injuries to essentially close out their season.
Goalie Anthony Stolarz, forward Dakota Joshua and defenceman Brandon Carlo all left the game throughout the night dealing with various injuries and didn’t return.
Stolarz’s Injury the Exclamation Point on His Season
For Stolarz, who seemed to get the worst of the three, it was another blow to an already tough season. Coming back in after signing a four-year extension with the Maple Leafs in the offseason, he was expected to be a strong platoon candidate with Joseph Woll.
However, the 32-year-old played just 26 games for the Maple Leafs while posting a 10-10-3 record to go along with a 3.28 goals against average (GAA) and .893 save percentage (SV%). Amongst all those games, were a multitude of injuries that affected his consistency and ability to get going this season.
With this looking like yet another lower-body injury for Stolarz, it’s safe to say that his season is over and he will have to set his sights on next season if the Maple Leafs new front office still believes in the now injury-prone goaltender.
Carlo, Joshua Injuries Actually Benefit Maple Leafs Road to the Lottery
As for the other two, Joshua and Carlo have also been dealing with injuries of their own on and off this season. Joshua was hospitalized earlier this season, while Carlo had a tough time out of the gate which led to some time on the injury list.
That said, with two more starters out of the lineup, the Maple Leafs might actually be able to catch a few more losses in their final four games – something that no fanbase wants to admit they are hoping for. However, the Maple Leafs own their first-round pick in the deeper 2026 NHL Draft, so long as it’s a top-five pick. Otherwise, thanks to the Carlo deal, it will land in the hands of the Boston Bruins.
With that in mind, and now three more starters out of the Maple Leafs lineup, these injuries are starting to benefit the Maple Leafs more than hinder their goals. As a franchise looking to make a quick ‘retool’ rather than a full rebuild, a top-five pick is essential to their efforts.
That said, the injuries still hurt. Carlo has one year left on his contract with the Maple Leafs at $4.1 million average annual value (AAV), while Joshua has two years left and a lot left to be desired.
Three Marlies Benefitting From Maple Leafs Injury
On the flip side, there are three call-ups that will finally benefit from the injuries to the Maple Leafs’ starting staff. William Villeneuve, Luke Haymes and Artur Akhtyamov all received call-ups following the Wednesday night loss and will likely get into the team’s lineup on Thursday against the New York Islanders who need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Akhtyamov is the lone sure thing at the moment as he was officially named the starter for the Maple Leafs on Thursday by head coach Craig Berube. But fans are itching to get a look at both Villeneuve and Haymes who’ve done well with the Marlies this season.
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Haymes has 17 goals and 32 points in 64 games this season for the playoff-bound Marlies, while Villeneuve has been a topic of conversation for some time now with his 29 points in 59 games, leading the team’s back end in scoring.
A gain thanks to others’ misfortunes, but one that will allow the team and its fans to generate some opinion on what the Maple Leafs have within their system if all three of these players get into the lineup in the remaining four games of the season. Regardless of how it plays out, it’s about to be a long week to close out the year for the boys in blue and white.
