The Rangers have kicked tires on Anthony Stolarz, per Darren Dreger, as New York hunts for goalie help after losing Igor Shesterkin.
"I think they've actually kicked tires on Anthony Stolarz," Dreger said on the Ray & Dregs Podcast.
New York has been searching for goaltending help ever since Igor Shesterkin's serious injury. With the Leafs carrying two veteran goalies, a trade between the two clubs is a real possibility.
It makes sense for New York. Shesterkin is out for the season, and Joonas Korpisalo is on injured reserve until at least Oct. 19.
Dylan Garand has been terrific, with a .951 save percentage, a shutout and the Garden cheering his name. The Rangers are 6-2-0, but a young starter needs a proven partner.
Stolarz, 32, carries a $3,750,000 cap hit. That's a manageable number for a team suddenly shopping for goaltending in October.
His start in Toronto has been shaky, with an .875 save percentage in five games. A change of scenery and a bigger workload might be exactly what he needs.
John Chayka weighs Toronto's crease before moving Anthony Stolarz
The Leafs would have to think hard. Sergei Bobrovsky is 38 and carries a $7,000,000 cap hit, with a .907 save percentage so far.
Moving Stolarz would leave Toronto thin behind an aging starter. That's a real risk for a team sitting at 3-3-1.
Toronto also has a hole on defence with Chris Tanev on injured reserve, and John Chayka has said he's open to adding a defenceman.
If Chayka can turn Stolarz into a defenceman, he should do it. The Leafs' blue line is the bigger problem, and the Rangers have every motivation to pay.
It's like trading your spare tire for a new set of brakes. You'd rather have both, but you know which one you need more.
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The Rangers visit New Jersey on Thursday, while the Leafs host Buffalo the same night.
Dreger called it kicking tires. With Shesterkin gone for the year, Chris Drury might be ready to buy the whole car.
Should the Maple Leafs trade Anthony Stolarz to the Rangers?
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