The Maple Leafs have locked up Dennis Hildeby.
The 24-year-old goaltender signed a three-year contract extension on Tuesday, with the deal carrying an average annual value of $841,667 US. It’s a two-way pact for each of the next two seasons and it becomes a one-way deal for 2027-28.
The Leafs’ fourth-round pick in 2022, Hildeby made his National Hockey League debut in 2024-25, going 3-3-0 in six games with a save percentage of .878.
In 30 games with the Toronto Marlies last season, Hildeby compiled a record of 16-9-4 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average.
As long as Leafs incumbents Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll are healthy, Hildeby likely will continue to bide his time with the Marlies, where he should get the majority of starts. Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa will challenge for time as well.
There’s less of a logjam with the Leafs’ goaltending at the American Hockey League level this coming season, as veteran Matt Murray departed the organization in July to sign a one-year contract with the Seattle Kraken.
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving during the off-season didn’t sign a veteran NHL goalie to replace Murray, an indication that the club has confidence Hildeby will be capable if required to start with the Leafs.
In 73 career games with the Marlies, the 6-foot-7 native of Jarfalla, Sweden, is 37-21-11 with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. In both 2024 and 2025, he represented the Marlies with the North Division at the AHL’s all-star classic.
X: @koshtorontosun