Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs have had enough drama in the summer. With the 2025–26 NHL season approaching, there’s nothing they’d like more than to put every concern to rest. That includes working out a contract extension with a key Stanley Cup champion on the roster.

While adding a top-six forward is a priority for the Maple Leafs, Matthews and company would rather the brass puts pen to paper on an extension for a more urgent position. Goaltending has become a strength for Toronto in the NHL, but that hangs largely on the hands of Anthony Stolarz. Keeping the Stanley Cup-winning netminder (in 2024 with the Florida Panthers) in town will go a long way for the Buds’ championship hopes.

On that note, reports suggest Stolarz is well aware of the leverage he holds over the Map

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