The Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltending situation has taken another concerning turn with the latest update on Anthony Stolarz's injury. The 31-year-old netminder, who has been sidelined since November 11th after a game against the Boston Bruins, is not progressing as hoped, according to head coach Craig Berube.

Stolarz, who signed a four-year, $15 million extension with the Leafs in September, has been out of action for over a month due to an upper-body injury. Initial expectations were that the injury was not serious, but it has proven to be more significant than initially believed. Berube had previously expressed optimism that Stolarz would be back on the ice soon, but those hopes have now been dampened.

"He's not making the progress that we thought he would make," Berube told the media on Tuesday. As a result, Stolarz is now scheduled to see a specialist to determine the next steps in his recovery. The specific nature of the upper-body injury remains undisclosed, leading to speculation and concern among fans.

While the team has confirmed that Stolarz's current ailment is not related to a concussion, the mystery surrounding the injury is unsettling. Stolarz suffered a concussion in the playoffs last season against Florida. The biggest concern for the Maple Leafs is whether surgery will be required and how long Stolarz would be out if he undergoes an operation.

The Maple Leafs have struggled to find consistency this season, and the absence of Stolarz has further complicated matters. In 13 starts this season, Stolarz has a 6-5-1 record, with a 3.51 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage. The team has gone 6-4-4 in Stolarz's absence, but have dropped their last two games.

The Leafs have also been without Joseph Woll, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury. Woll has resumed skating with the team and has been reactivated, but Dennis Hildeby has been relied upon in the meantime. Hildeby has posted a 2-2-3 record with a .933 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average since being called up from the AHL.

The uncertainty surrounding Stolarz's injury raises questions about the Maple Leafs' goaltending depth and potential trade deadline plans. With Woll's injury history and Hildeby's emergence, the Leafs may consider moving Stolarz if he returns to full health.