Dennis Hildeby Opens Up on His Struggles After Signing Maple Leafs Contract
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
After locking down a three-year deal with the Maple Leafs, goaltender Dennis Hildeby was candid in how he felt his NHL debut season went last year with the team.After a lot of silence from both sides, the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to re-sign Dennis Hildeby to a three-year contract, effectively keeping him in the fray alongside Joseph Woll for the foreseeable future.
It was a solid deal given that Toronto was lacking a true backup, and while he was hit and miss in his NHL debut, a bit more seasoning should lead to him a fair bit of success, especially in emergency situations.
What Dennis Hildeby Said About His Early Struggles
Hildeby understood that last season had some growing pains, and in talking with reporters on Thursday, reflected on his struggles last season and how he envisions improving in 2024-25:It was kind of a rollercoaster of a season, a little up and down there. There was a lot of new stuff I tried to implement into my game that maybe didn’t work out at first.
Tried a lot of new stuff and figured out my game more.
This season is more about getting back to taking all this new stuff and make it come together in a way that works for me.
Hildeby also noted that goaltender Anthony Stolarz was huge in his transition and how he can learn from the veteran:
He was a great guy to watch. A big guy like me. I really like how effective he is in net, and it’s something I’m kind of trying to go towards also. He’s a great guy in the locker room and he’s been taking care of me a lot.
It sounds like last season is a thing of the past for Hildeby and he is focused on improving and making sure Toronto is able to repeat an Atlantic Division pennant.
Hildeby, 24, had a 3-3-0 record last year with the Maple Leafs to go along with a 3.13 GAA and .878 SV%; he was better with the Marlies where he posted a 16-9-4 record with a 2.55 GAA and a .908 SV%.
The Journey That Led Hildeby to His New Maple Leafs Deal
For the towering Swede, it’s been a fairly rapid ascent through the system since being drafted 122nd overall in 2022. After a solid season with Farjestads of the SHL, Hildeby made the jump to North America and impressed.
In his first full year with the Marlies, he went 21-11-7 with a 2.41 GAA and .913 SV% and quickly earned himself starting duties.
Though, he’s still got some stuff to go through and will start 2025-26 as the Marlies starter and sharing duties with Akhtyamov as well as veteran Ken Appleby but if one of the Leafs starters go down, he’s going to be the first one called upon.
So for Hildeby, it’s going to be full speed ahead going into 2025-26 and is looking to smash through any roadblocks; and doubters along the way.
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