The Toronto Maple Leafs have introduced that they’ve signed goaltender Dennis Hildeby to a three-year contract extension with a mean annual worth of $841,667. The breakdown of the deal has the primary two years as a two-way contract till 2026-27. After that, within the 2027-28 season, it’ll change to a one-way contract.
Hildeby, 24, was the final remaining restricted free agent (RFA) on the Maple Leafs, which permits basic supervisor Brad Treliving to now absolutely flip his consideration to the beginning of coaching camp, pre-season, and doubtlessly even a number of skilled tryouts.
Hildeby’s Profession Thus Far
Hildeby was a fourth-round draft pick by the Maple Leafs within the 2022 NHL Draft and has proven indicators of NHL potential. To date, in simply six NHL video games, he has a document of 3-3-0 with a .872 save share and a 3.33 goals-against common, all of which got here in the course of the 2024-25 season.
On the AHL stage, although, he has had a powerful begin to his profession. Final season in 30 video games with the Toronto Marlies, he went 16-9-4 with a 2.55 goals-against common, a .908 save share, and two shutouts. Throughout his AHL profession, Hildeby has performed in 73 video games, posting a 37-21-11 document with a 2.53 goals-against common, a .909 save share, and 6 shutouts.
Though he hasn’t had a lot NHL expertise but, Hildeby will probably be the primary call-up when the Maple Leafs face accidents in aim, very like we noticed final season.
Hildeby’s Time is Close to
If he continues to carry out at his present stage, Hildeby might push for a full-time NHL job within the subsequent few years. There’s additionally an fascinating caveat in his new deal that factors to a potential NHL alternative as early as subsequent season. With two years of the two-way possibility adopted by a one-way contract in 2027-28, the timing traces up with Anthony Stolarz changing into an unrestricted free agent after this season.
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If the Maple Leafs resolve to supply Stolarz one other yr or two, that may instantly overlap with when Hildeby’s contract turns into one-way. That element suggests the group views him as a possible NHL-calibre goaltender, however for now, they need him persevering with to develop on the AHL stage earlier than handing him a much bigger position.
