Dennis Hildeby's emergence is putting real pressure on the Maple Leafs' Woll-Stolarz duo

Projected as an NHL goaltender down the road, Dennis Hildeby's play this season has let the 24-year-old to raise his stock after the Leafs have been without Anthony Stolarz due to injury.

Hildeby wasn't given a chance in Toronto when Joseph Woll was away from the team for personal reasons, with the job going to waiver acquisition Cayden Primeau. When Woll returned, Toronto was dealt with another blow in net with the injury to Stolarz, this time leading to Hildeby getting a shot.

Since being recalled from the Toronto Marlies, Hildeby has impressed in six games for the Leafs with a 3.07 GAA and a .914 SV% despite a 1-2-1 record, a boost on last season's 3.16 GAA and .878 SV%.

Being able to have adapted to the NHL may help in boosting the timeline for when Hildeby is viewed as ready, and could change the Leafs outcome in net.

Dennis Hildeby has started to look like an NHL caliber goalie, and it raises some legitimate questions about the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs crease.

After struggling in a brief look last season, Dennis Hildeby has looked more mature and refined this season, appearing closer to being NHL ready than last season, and potentially pushing up the timeline in which he could become a full time role with the Leafs.

As a potential NHLer down the line, Hildeby's progress has moved the window in which he may be ready for a full-time shot in the league, and it raises some questions for Toronto over their current goaltending duo of Stolarz and Woll.

The Leafs have committed to their duo of Stolarz and Woll long-term, with Woll signed until 2028 and Stolarz until 2030, suggesting the two being the future of Toronto, but Hildeby is knocking down the door quickly, and adds complications over how the Leafs approach their situation in net.

The future of Dennis Hildeby is still uncertain as the Leafs have locked Stolarz and Woll as their duo, but Toronto having to factor their future as well, they can't ignore a debate on where Hildeby stands.

If the Leafs trust Stolarz/Woll as their tandem in the long-term, the question becomes if Toronto's best use for Hildeby is as a potential trade chip in order to help the team now.

One additional factor to the Leafs goaltending situation is that they have another promising prospect in Artur Akhtyamov, who has been holding down the net for the Marlies with Hildeby up in Stolarz's absence.

Although he's not as close to the NHL as Hildeby, Akhtyamov has shown potential as a prospect and if he's able to step his game up a notch, it could make Hildeby more expendable.

Dennis Hildeby hasn't locked up an NHL spot gig yet, and will still have to prove that he can be a potential option long-term, but Hildeby this season has potentially accelerated a looming decision over the future of the Leafs crease.