Dennis Hildeby to Back Up Anthony Stolarz Against Bruins
Dennis Hildeby is expected to make his season debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs soon. The team has placed goaltender Cayden Primeau on waivers, and head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Hildeby will back up Anthony Stolarz, who will start his 12th game of the season hosting the Boston Bruins.
Team Goaltender Changes
- Joseph Woll was sent to the Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint.
- Hildeby will not remain with the Marlies as a backup but will stay with the Maple Leafs.
- After three starts, the Leafs decided to place Primeau on waivers following a 2-1-0 record and a .838 save percentage.
Hildeby’s Performance and Status
At 24 years old, Hildeby has appeared once for the Maple Leafs this season, backing up during Primeau's 4-3 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres. With the Toronto Marlies, Hildeby holds a 2-2-1 record and an .890 save percentage. He also posted a .920 save percentage during three preseason games with the Leafs.
Upcoming Start Possibility
While not officially confirmed, all indicators suggest Hildeby will likely start the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 10. Given the challenging schedule with back-to-back games, it is improbable that the Leafs will start Stolarz consecutively on both nights.
"After seeing three games of Cayden Primeau in net, it appears the Leafs saw enough of what they needed to see by placing the goaltender on waivers on Friday."
Author’s summary: Dennis Hildeby is poised to become a key backup goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this season, stepping in as the team adjusts its goaltending lineup amid a tight game schedule.