Dennis Hildeby's ascension is forcing Brad Treliving to make a difficult decision
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Dennis Hildeby has been having a wonderful start to the season, and it is putting some pressure on Brad Treliving to make a move.
Dennis Hildeby had some rough starts with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, and it cemented the idea that the goaltender wasn't ready for the NHL.
With Joseph Woll on a leave of absence at the start of the season, the team opted to keep Hildeby in the AHL, all while bringing in Cayden Primeau.
Since Anthony Stolarz's injury, Dennis Hildeby has found himself back in the NHL, and he has been proving the Leafs' front office wrong.
In fact, Hildeby's ascension is creating a bit of a conundrum, especially with both Woll and Stolarz dealing with injury problems right now.
Dennis Hildeby is everthing the Toronto Maple Leafs need him to be
Last night against the Montreal Canadiens, Hildeby turned aside 33 out of 34 shots, and was the main reason why the game was close.
Now, in eight appearances this season, Hildeby has a goals-against average of 2.51 and a save percentage of .927.
With Hildeby playing so well, general manager Brad Treliving must now ask himself whether or not it is worth keeping both Woll and Stolarz on the roster.
These two goaltenders could fetch a ton on the trade market. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers need a goalie, and Stolarz or Woll could be the right move.
Based on what we have seen so far this season, it feels like Stolarz is the more expendable goaltender, although he could fetch a huge trade haul.
For Treliving, it has to be a conversation right now. If Hildeby was playing poorly, it wouldn't even be much of a question.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 511 ANSWERS Dennis Hildeby's ascension is forcing Brad Treliving to make a difficult decision Do you believe Dennis Hildeby should be the permanent backup of the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 400 | 78.3 % |
| NO | 111 | 21.7 % |
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