Calgary Flames

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Flames, & Ex-Oiler Helps Hildeby Shine

Canadian teams get two wins, one rough loss — but which Canadian youngster stole the night with a breakout performance in goal?

by
Old Prof
December 9, 2025

Last night was a mixed bag for the Canadian teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs looked solid, steady, disciplined — riding rookie Dennis Hildeby to a 2–0 shutout over Tampa Bay. The game was quiet, calm, not flashy at all, but somehow felt so under control.

The Calgary Flames won 7–4 over the Buffalo Sabres. But, unlike the Maple Leafs, it was messy hockey. Goals flying everywhere, bounces, rebounds, weird stuff. But Nazem Kadri kept driving the play, making things happen when the game got sideways. And Yegor Sharangovich and Jonathan Huberdeau found enough space to tip three in.

Meanwhile, the Canucks ran into John Gibson and came up empty by a score of 4–0. They had some good looks early. These chances would usually go in, but nothing dropped for them, and they left the night still chasing that bit of consistency that keeps slipping away.

In total, two wins, one rough loss, flashes of talent, bits of frustration. It was pretty much a typical Canadian hockey night.

Maple Leafs 2, Lightning 0 – Stecher Helps Hildeby Steady the Ship

Some nights aren’t about fireworks. They’re about poise. The Maple Leafs took care of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the night turned into the Hildeby show — a rookie goalie, barely 15 games in, getting his first shutout. With a little help from Troy Stecher on the goal line, the goaltender made the night look oddly easy.

Even when Nick Paul almost snuck one by him early, Hildeby just shrugged and kept his cool. Morgan Rielly scored that first-period backhand simply because he did not give up on the play. He just kept pushing.

Not a highlight-reel night. More about structure, patience, letting the goalie do his thing. Troy Stecher was solid in front, Rielly’s goal mattered more than style points, and Hildeby was calm and building his own story. Nights like this don’t make immediate headlines, but they plant confidence. That’s what you want to see.

Flames 7, Sabres 4 – Kadri Fuels His Flames

Calgary’s 7–4 victory over Buffalo was one of those unpredictable games. Goals came rapidly, plays were chaotic, and there were odd bounces—credit to the Flames for always responding. Kadri scored three points and made smart plays at crucial moments. Sharangovich scored twice, and Huberdeau added one more. Overall, the Flames’ key players shone brightly.

The whole thing felt like controlled chaos, but Calgary never really freaked out. They pushed back, leaned on the guys who usually get it done, and somehow walked away with the two points. You can see them waking up a bit, even if it might be coming a touch late.

Red Wings 4, Canucks 0 – Gibson Proves Unbeatable

The Vancouver Canucks ran into John Gibson and just hit a wall. They outplayed Detroit early, had chances, and still went into the first intermission down 1–0. Quinn Hughes tried to drag his team into the scoring, and Jake DeBrusk had a couple of outstanding looks. But Gibson didn’t let anything in at all. Then Detroit hit twice in 37 seconds late in the second period, and the game was gone. Defensive lapses didn’t help—frustrating night.

Hughes spoke after the game, saying he was doing everything he could, but the Canucks struggled against a better Detroit team.

Canadian Team’s Player of the Night – Dennis Hildeby of the Maple Leafs

The Canadian teams’ player of the night was the Maple Leafs’ rookie goalie Dennis Hildeby. His first NHL shutout showed off a goalie who was cool as a cucumber. Every time the Lightning got a shot, Hildeby stopped it. He kept a pretty good offensive team with some influential offensive players off the score sheet. That, in itself, makes him worthy of being named NHL Trade Talk’s Canadian team player of the night.

What’s most interesting is that in that one game, he probably made himself absolutely untradable. You can bet, however, that other teams have seen it and would be lining up just in case the Maple Leafs had an inkling to move him. But if they did, it would be a travesty.