The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Dennis Hildeby to a 3 year contract extension with an average annual value of $841,667.
The deal will feature a two way structure for the next 2 seasons, followed by a 1 way contract in 2027-28. The 24 year old started 6 games for Toronto in 2024-25 going 3-3-0 with a 3.33 GAA and .878 SV%.
Originally drafted by Toronto in 4th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Hildeby played a prominent role with the Marlies last year, going 16-9-4 with a 2.55 GAA and .908 SV%. The 6’7″ netminder also registered 2 shutouts along the way.
Hildeby figures to be a depth piece for the Leafs in 2025-26, with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll expected to take the bulk of the starts at the NHL level. Nevertheless, his addition provides the club with some insurance should injuries or poor play necessitate a change in Toronto.
With his contract remaining a two-way deal for this season and next, it gives the Leafs the option to promote him to their NHL roster next season if Stolarz departs in free agency. But it also gives the club the option to go big game hunting for another free agent goaltender without forcing their hand in 2026-27.
With Hildeby’s deal converting into a 1 way contract the following year, Toronto will have the opportunity to either shop him, or bring him up full time in 2027-28. That season would be the last year on Woll’s current deal, making him a plug and play back up if Woll emerges as a bonafide number 1 starter.
Toronto has just under 3 weeks remaining before their first preseason game of the season on Sunday September 21st vs. the Ottawa Senators.
Photo: The AHL. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.