Dennis Hildeby won an elimination game and the Maple Leafs finally have a goalie who delivers when it matters
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images
Dennis Hildeby showed that he can handle the pressure of an elimination game, and that's music to the Maple Leafs' ears when it comes to their goalie situation.
There's been a lot of discussion for years about the stability of the Maple Leafs goaltending. They went through countless names who never really managed to lock things down when it mattered most, and untimely injuries have cost them some serious chances at success.
We thought that was fixed last year with the Anthony Stolarz signing, and along with Joseph Woll formed a formidable duo that led the Maple Leafs to the Atlantic Division crown. Though this year was a different story, and it feels like we are back to square one.
Though luckily for Toronto they have a monster waiting in the wing. Or rather, a 'Hildebeast.'
Hildeby posted a .912 save percentage this season and just won an elimination game while Stolarz missed over a third of the season
Dennis Hildeby is a name who fans are familiar with not only because he has been one of the top prospects for a few years, but at 6-foot-7 he's someone you really can't miss when you see him the locker room, and he's proven he's just as good as any NHLer.
Breaking through this season, Hildeby went 5-7-4 but played much better than his record indicated; he had a .912 SV% and a 2.86 GAA; not too shabby for his first real season. But it's what he's done with the Marlies in the Calder Cup Playoffs that needs to get you excited.
Hildeby actually shut the door pretty hard on Rochester in Toronto's elimination game on Sunday and kept them in it at every opportunity. He's 1-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV%. It's only one game but it was the most important one.
And it shows that Toronto has someone they can rely on when the big games comes up. For years they went through names like Frederik Andersen, James Reimer, Michael Hutchinson, Ilya Samsonov. Joseph Woll, and Stolarz.
The only one who you could point to who may have been their rock was Matt Murray, but he was nothing like he was in Pittsburgh; which shows you just how bad it has been. While injuries plagued them for sure, it's hard to really see any of these guys being the shutdown player Toronto needed to get them through.
The Maple Leafs new GM walks in with a goaltending decision already made and Hildeby just made it easier
Whoever the next leader of the Maple Leafs front office is will have a big decision to make about regarding Stolarz, his place on the team, and what the future holds. If the team is going through a more analytical and data-drive model then looking at games missed and fluctuating production may be a big factor in keeping him.
Hildeby already proved that he can handle duties even as a backup, and with him half a decade younger than Stolarz, the same size, and without the injury concerns; it makes the latter expendable.
Don't forget the team also has Artur Akhtyamov locked up for the future as well, and he's already had a couple cups of coffee in the NHL. If Stolarz is prone to going down early and often — it's not that difficult a decision now is it?
You can't fault Stolarz though. He's doing his job and unfortunately whether it be a combination of size, style or simple wear and tear; he can't be trusted to lead the way anymore.
It's a good thing though that the Hildebeast is ready to be unleashed, and boy, he's hungry.
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