Dennis Hildeby facing waiver eligibility shapes a tricky situation for the Toronto Maple Leafs with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.
The Leafs finally found calm in net this season, yet calm never lasts long around this position in Toronto.
Another strong performance from rookie sensation Dennis Hildeby is in the books after the towering Swede shut the door on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, picking up an unforgettable 2-0 shutout in the process.
Hildeby, drafted in the fourth round in 2022, has quietly turned into a legitimate NHL option at age 24. His numbers back it up. Across two seasons, his save percentage has hovered near the .920 mark in the AHL, and his size still allows him to erase low slot chances that beat smaller goalies. The development curve looks real, not lucky.
The catch arrives next season. Hildeby will not be waivers exempt, which means the Leafs cannot freely shuttle him to and from the Marlies. If they try, another team can claim a 6-foot-7 goalie, who has legitimate NHL star upside, for free. That rarely ends well for the original club.
Dennis Hildeby pressure may shape Maple Leafs’ decision
Fans already sense the tension because this situation forces a choice. Toronto cannot carry three goalies long-term, and the roster math leans toward moving Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz before 2026-27.
Woll, drafted in 2016, posted a .909 save percentage last season and remains 26 years old with a modest cap hit. His save percentage is just under .930 this season.
Stolarz, meanwhile, has delivered strong underlying numbers for years, carrying a career save percentage above .915 across multiple stops. He has, however, struggled to replicate that success this season, and has not skated since November 11th after being pulled from a game against the Bruins. There remains no timeline for his return and no update on his injury.
A few scouts think Hildeby already reads the game better than many NHL backups, which deepens the problem. Toronto wants to keep Woll, who still has a long future ahead of him, and Stolarz was exactly what they needed last season, posting some of the best numbers in the league. Something has to give.
As a fan, the risk of losing Hildeby for nothing feels inevitable unless the Leafs plan ahead. They have been burned by goalie churn before, and this front office rarely enjoys surprises in the crease.
Whatever path they choose, the outcome will shape the 2026-27 roster and decide which netminder still wears blue and white. However, we know one thing for certain — unless the team plans to run 3 goalies next year, one of Hildeby, Stolarz and Woll will be gone.
The club finally has three good options, but only two can reasonably stay.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily