As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the 2024-25 NHL season, they find themselves in a familiar predicament: still searching for a definitive No. 1 goalie to guide them on a potential Stanley Cup run. This ongoing quest has plagued the franchise for years, highlighting a crucial gap in their lineup.

It's been a staggering five seasons since the Leafs last had a netminder start 50 games in a single season. Frederik Andersen was the last to achieve that feat during the 2019-20 season, starting in 52 games. Despite the apparent stability at that time, the team faced playoff disappointments over the years, failing to advance past the first round in each of those attempts. Since then, it has been a carousel of 16 different goalies who have donned the blue and white jersey in the crease since the 2020-21 season.

Jack Campbell seemed to be on the right track during the 2020-21 season with 47 starts, while the now-departed Ilya Samsonov managed 40 starts in both of his last seasons with the club. The turbulence in goal is partly due to injuries, but it is also reflective of a broader issue—the absence of a reliable, elite-level goalie to depend on during critical moments.

This season, the Maple Leafs are again evaluating Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz as potential solutions for this long-standing issue. As the regular season kicks off with a matchup against the Canadiens on Wednesday, the stakes are high. Matt Murray remains on the roster, albeit recovering from dual hip surgeries. The prospect of his return could turn into an intriguing storyline if he were somehow to reclaim his position as a top performer—an unlikely yet compelling narrative.

Stolarz, who recently secured a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, has made every effort to demonstrate his worth. In just three appearances this preseason, he recorded an impressive 30-save performance against the Red Wings, earning a quick victory and boasting just two goals allowed in total during these games. Having previously served as Serjei Bobrovsky's backup, he brings valuable experience to the mix. After signing a two-year deal with the Leafs in July, he has embraced this opportunity and declared, "You want to be on the big stage and playing games. It’s up to me to take advantage of it."

On the flip side, Woll, 26, aims to prove he can manage a starting role, although his past has been marred by injuries. He showcased potential during last year's playoff round against Boston but unfortunately could not contribute to the deciding Game 7 due to a sprained back. With only 36 games under his belt over four NHL seasons, the jury is still out on his capability to shoulder the load consistently.

Brad Treliving, the team's general manager, acknowledged Woll's promising talent but also pointed out the concerns surrounding his health. As the competition intensifies, Woll is vying to make the opening night lineup against Montreal, a prized opportunity he’s eager to seize.

For both Woll and Stolarz, the pressure is palpable as they engage in friendly yet fierce competition to secure the starting role. Stolarz, earning $2.5 million over the next two years, commented, “It’s going to be a battle. There’s only one spot available, but pushing each other only makes the team better.”

Beyond the goalie situation, the Maple Leafs' success also hinges on their high-profile core: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. While these stars have undeniably earned high salaries, the financial commitment to them may be impacting the depth of the team, especially in goal and on the defensive lineup. Recent additions, like Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, have been made to fortify the defense, but questions remain about whether they, combined with whoever emerges as the starting goalie, can lead Toronto toward a different outcome this season.

With the NHL season just around the corner, the pressure is on the Maple Leafs. Will they finally solve their goaltending riddle and turn their franchise's fortunes around? Only time will tell, but fans are eagerly watching as the drama unfolds. Stay tuned!