3 Reasons the Maple Leafs Re-Signed Dennis Hildeby

The Toronto Maple Leafs locked up their last restricted free agent this week, inking goaltender Dennis Hildeby to a three-year extension. The deal carries an $841,667 average annual value, with the first two seasons structured as two-way and the final year shifting to a one-way contract. On paper, it’s a tidy piece of business. But why commit now?

Here are three reasons Hildeby’s signing makes sense.

Reason 1. Hildeby Gives the Maple Leafs Depth and Flexibility in Goal

Hildeby hasn’t played much in the NHL yet—just six games last season—but he’s already positioned himself as the club’s top call-up. Toronto saw it first-hand last year: when injuries hit, Hildeby could step in without disrupting the crease rotation. The two-way structure in the first two seasons gives the Maple Leafs cost-effective flexibility, allowing him to move between the Marlies and the NHL as needed.

Reason 2. Hildeby Has a Proven AHL Track Record

At the American Hockey League level, Hildeby has been steady and reliable. Over 73 career AHL games, he owns a 37-21-11 record with a 2.53 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and six shutouts. Last season alone, he went 16-9-4 with two shutouts for the Marlies. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but for a 24-year-old goaltender still learning the pro game, they’re more than respectable. They also show he’s already outgrown being just a “development project.”

Reason 3. The Maple Leafs Need to Prepare for the Future

The most telling part of the contract is the one-way year in 2027–28. That timing lines up neatly with veteran backup Anthony Stolarz’s contract situation—he’ll be a free agent at the end of this season. If Stolarz returns on a short-term deal, Hildeby’s one-way salary kicks in just as he’s expected to be NHL-ready. In other words, the Maple Leafs are signaling they see him as part of their goaltending picture within the next couple of years.