Dennis Hildeby has golden opportunity to become NHL regular

Dennis Hildeby was extended for three more seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, it’s time to make it count.

The 6-foot-7 netminder is just 24 years old, and while there’s been flashes of brilliance throughout the early stages of his North American professional career, Hildeby needs to take the beast by the horns in 2025-26, and put himself in conversation to be a part of the Maple Leafs’ 2026-27 tandem.

Hildeby appeared in six games for the Leafs last season, posting a 3-3-0 record, with a 3.13 goals against average, and a .878 save percentage. He posted significantly better numbers with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, as he finished the AHL season with a 16-9-4 record, 2.55 GAA, and .908 save percentage.

Toronto used four goaltenders last season, so it’s quite likely we see Hildeby in an NHL game in 2025-26. Last year, Joseph Woll led the team with 42 appearances, Anthony Stolarz trailed with 34, while Hildeby finished third on the depth chart with six, and veteran Matt Murray dressed in two games. With Murray setting sail with the Seattle Kraken, the third spot is Hildeby’s for the taking. It will be important for him to be on his game with the Marlies early on this year, as the injury history of Stolarz and Woll is another big reason why the Leafs banked on Hildeby’s future. He’ll be needed, there’s really no doubt about that, it’s just going to come down in what capacity? What if Stolarz takes a step back, perhaps struggles once again to stay healthy?

Stolarz has a lot to prove this season and with contract negotiations reportedly beginning, it will be interesting to see how Treliving handles his contract extension. He was one of the best goaltenders in the league last year, when he was healthy, so everything for him is going to come down to availability. Hildeby, on the other hand, everything comes down to opportunity, and he must keep his game sharp to pounce at his next chance to start for the Maple Leafs. It’s hard to say when that’s exactly going to happen, but that’s what comes with the territory as an organization’s number three option.

Treliving and the Maple Leafs are in very good shape when it comes to their depth in net. Woll has had his injury woes himself, but he’s proven time and time again he’s capable of winning the big game. Now, we wait to see his sustainability tested once again this season, and if he can learn from the defeat to the hands of the back-to-back Cup champs. Woll and Stolarz will be the Leafs’ tandem to start the year, there’s no doubt about that. Hildeby is likely the first goaltender called up if needed, as he has more NHL experience under his belt than Artur Akhtyamov, who posted an 11-8-4 record as an AHL rookie.

Another element that Hildeby has to keep in mind is with a three-year contract at just $841, 667 AAV, if Stolarz and Woll are locked in with the Maple Leafs, and Hildeby is shining with the Marlies, it’s going to turn the heads of rival GM’s. With the Maple Leafs having limited prospects that hold significant trade value, it’s happened in the past, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see other teams calling about Hildeby’s availability.

The ‘Hildebeast’ has a new contract in his back pocket, and some job security heading into this season. Marlies, Maple Leafs, or eventually another NHL team, the future looks bright and full of opportunity for the towering goaltender.