Hildeby’s First Shutout Proves the Maple Leafs Were Smart to Keep Him

Dennis Hildeby didn’t just have a memorable first in the NHL when he earned a shutout — he may have kicked off a full-blown goaltending debate in Toronto.

The 24-year-old rookie stopped all 29 shots he faced against the Tampa Bay Lightning, backstopping the Leafs to a 2–0 win. It was the team’s first shutout of the season and the latest evidence that the Maple Leafs might be OK, despite injuries to both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.

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Hildeby now sits at a .936 save percentage, leads the NHL in goals saved above expected per 60, and has stopped 71 of his last 72 shots. The 6’7″ Swedish goalie has gone from depth prospect to monster-in-the-crease “Hildebeast,” earning himself first-star honors and an avalanche of praise from fans and analysts alike. Even TSN’s Jeff O’Neill declared, “Dennis Hildeby, you are the number one until proven otherwise.”

And that’s where this story takes a turn — because Hildeby’s emergence isn’t just a fun December surprise. It might actually reshape the Maple Leafs’ goaltending plans moving forward.

The Maple Leafs Might Decide to Go All In With Hildeby

For the first time in years, Toronto suddenly has something rare: a young, cost-controlled goaltender showing legitimate starter upside. Before this season, Hildeby was more of a project — a 2022 fourth-round pick with great size and intriguing tools, but also someone who looked raw and occasionally overwhelmed. Now? He’s tracking pucks through traffic, sealing off the bottom of the net with those massive pads, and playing with a confidence that wasn’t there when he first arrived.

Inside the organization, there’ve been long-running debates about his ceiling. Last season, some wondered whether Hildeby was expendable. Teams were calling. There was value. The Leafs ultimately held onto him — and suddenly that decision looks franchise-altering.

If Hildeby continues playing like this, the Leafs’ entire chart shifts. Joseph Woll, once considered the clear long-term No. 1, now has competition. Stolarz’s future becomes even murkier. Trade-deadline priorities change. And perhaps most importantly, Toronto no longer has to fear overworking Woll when injuries hit.

It’s early, yes. But in Toronto, unexpected goaltending stability is headline news. Hildeby’s shutout wasn’t just a milestone — it might be the moment the Leafs’ crease began to belong to someone new.

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