Anthony Stolarz doesn’t have a date in mind for a return to the Maple Leafs crease.
The veteran goaltender, though, knows what he has to do in order to get back on the job.
“Probably just about getting my conditioning back,” Stolarz said on Tuesday. “I feel really good. The training staff has done a great job of taking care of me and the strength and conditioning coaches have done a great job of creating a plan to be able to strengthen it and get everything back up.
“It’s one of those things that you lose some muscle (strength), so you have to get that back. There’s no cardio like playing hockey in a real game, a 60-minute game, especially as a goalie.”
Stolarz was a full participant in Leafs practice at the Ford Performance Centre for the first time since he had a knee procedure done on Dec. 18 in New York. He hasn’t played since Dec. 12, when he departed the home game against the Anaheim Ducks after the first period.
When we previously saw Stolarz in net, he was leading the National Hockey League with a .927 save percentage in 17 games. That lead has been maintained while he has been out, though Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets (.926) and Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals (.925) are nipping at his heels.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Stolarz didn’t say he was frustrated or angry when he got the news that he would be out of the lineup for four-to-six weeks. Wednesday will mark six weeks since he had minor surgery, which included having a pebble-sized body removed.
“It was just one of those things,” Stolarz said. “You get the results. It was a best-case scenario. Go through the rehab process, get back on the ice and try to return as quick as I can.”
After the Leafs play host to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, they will embark on a four-game trip with stops in Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle and Vancouver before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off begins.
Would Stolarz like to get a game in before the break?
“Right now, I’m just taking day by day,” Stolarz said. “For me, it’s enjoying being out there again with the guys. It sucks just sitting there watching and working out. To be able to get back on the ice and stop pucks and have a few laughs with the guys, it’s nice.”
X: @koshtorontosun