Stolarz Blasts Maple Leafs, Accepts Responsibility

After Toronto's 4–3 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, goaltender Anthony Stolarz publicly criticized the Maple Leafs for being “outworked,” urged the team to adopt the higher standards he saw during Florida’s recent Cup run and said the group has the pieces to go all the way. He singled out the coverage on the overtime goal but also accepted personal responsibility for a breakaway he didn’t stop, saying "I get paid to stop the puck." Stolarz pulled William Nylander aside, praised him, and said the private conversation cleared the air; Nylander, captain Auston Matthews and coach Craig Berube characterized the exchange as accountability rather than discord. Berube said he prefers such critiques remain internal but called mutual accountability healthy, and the team said it has moved on as it prepares to finish a five-game homestand. Media outlets noted the rarity of Stolarz's blunt public criticism and framed it as an unusual but potentially galvanizing moment for a team still searching for postseason traction.