With their top two goalies out with injuries, the Leafs find themselves in a tough spot. Chasing the pace after their slow start, the pressure is even greater. Needless to say, third-string goalie Dennis Hildeby has quickly become very significant to the fortunes of the team. With little injury news being shared by the Leafs, and no clear return dates for the injured Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, Hildeby is thrust into the limelight.
Still, the crossroads of the moment are reflected in the future. Next season, Hildeby will no longer be waiver-exempt. Hildeby’s performance as the short-term starter will have a ripple effect that will impact the Leafs’ goaltending situation as a whole. Is he ready to become a full-time NHLer? Is there room for Hildeby to push for more? Let’s take a closer look at the answers and implications.
Hildeby’s profile
At 6’7, Hildeby possesses the size that has become an important factor for NHL teams. While this has helped earn him his nickname, Hildebeast, there is a lot to like about his profile beyond his height.
Hildeby has been building up to this moment, authoring a strong resume along the way. The Leafs drafted Hildeby as an overager in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, after he had won a championship in the SHL as a starter. Having played only eight regular season games in the SHL, Hildeby burst onto the scene with 19 games on his way to the championship.
Since then, Hildeby’s improvement has been steady. Though his raw stats might seem to fluctuate, each season he has shown clear improvement. After another SHL season, Hildeby played his first full AHL season in 2023–24. Hildeby became the Toronto Marlies starter as a rookie and put up some impressive stats.
This season
Last season, Hildeby saw his first NHL games. Though his stats in the AHL were not as impressive as the season prior, it was encouraging for him to back up his performance. Hildeby did look a bit overmatched in the NHL last season, but some level of competence was evident.
This season, Hildeby’s AHL stats would seem to have dipped again, though this might be due to the strength of the Marlies more than his performance. In his eight NHL appearances this season, Hildeby looks far more ready than last season. He is much calmer and poised, and seems to be tracking the puck well.
Based on the eye test of his NHL action so far this season, as well as his resume on paper leading up to this point, Hildeby is ready for this audition. While injuries have forced the Leafs into this situation, Hildeby is full value for the opportunity. Throwing him into a true starter’s workload might be a bit ambitious, as the Leafs are expected to with Woll and Stolarz out, but there is little choice for now.
If and when either of Stolarz or Woll returns, Hildeby should remain a factor. Neither Woll nor Stolarz has played a true starter’s workload, and many have begun to suspect that such usage is just too much for their bodies. Hildeby proving himself will help the Leafs keep Woll and Stolarz healthy.
Stolarz was struggling this season versus last, though the Leafs did him few favours at the start of the season. Woll has looked as strong as ever. It might be hard for Hildeby to outright pass them on the depth this season. Regardless, Hildeby improves the Leafs by being a viable option this season, even if he cannot challenge his creasemates.
Looking ahead
Both Woll and Hildeby have contracts that extend two seasons beyond this one. Hildeby will be a restricted free agent at that point. The Leafs have a ton of control, and Hildeby has a very cheap contract, making him an incredible value.
Though injury-prone, Woll looks to be firmly in his prime, ready for a long career as a strong tandem option. Stolarz is a much less likely journey, bouncing around the league before his breakout season with the Leafs last year. The Leafs longest commitment in net is to their oldest goalie in Stolarz. The issue is that, in some sense, Stolarz is the most unpredictable option as well.
Ideally, all three goalies will be healthy and performing well. In this scenario, the Leafs would be faced with a problem that allows them to deal from a position of strength. For the time being, there is no obvious answer on who the Leafs would trade, though theoretically, they could buy some time by keeping three goalies on the active roster.
Already without much trade capital, Hildeby’s emergence as a legitimate NHL option gives the Leafs an important trade chip. The Leafs should try to hold off the decision as long as possible, allowing the situation to unfold naturally. The Leafs are in a great position as it stands, seeming to have three viable NHL options in net. This luxury should not be dismantled lightly.
It all begins with a chance for Hildeby to carry the mail for the Leafs here. The team was cautious to trust him, even claiming Cayden Primeau off waivers to start the season. Already, Hildeby has shown the team that he is more ready than they planned.
While Hildeby might bring back the best assets, why trade a young goalie when you have a veteran whose injury history makes him a wild card. Teams that are desperate for a goalie (read: Edmonton Oilers) will overpay if he is healthy. A combination of an up and coming AHLer, a 2nd round pick and a development player would be a decent return to start re-filling the Leafs’ pipeline or give them some actual assets in a potential trade. I love Stolarz and I’d hate to help out the Oilers, but that’s the price of business.