The Maple Leafs' Trade Chip That Could Finally Bring Top-Six Help
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add some top-six help, they may be able to do so by parting with Dennis Hildeby, who could be an underrated trade chip.
With all the talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs bringing in some help up front to replace Mitch Marner, they are having some difficulty getting a deal done whether it's a lack of cap space, room on the roster, or uninterested sellers.
Linked to names such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, as well as Jared McCann and Jordan Kyrou, there's no shortage of options for Toronto though they come at varying costs with the latter two coming in at a hefty price tag.
However, if the Maple Leafs were willing to dangle someone they have high hopes for it could work out in the end.
With Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz patrolling the pipes, and Artur Akhtyamov waiting to break out: Could Dennis Hildeby be the trade piece Toronto needs to dangle?
Why Dennis Hildeby Is a Rare Goalie Prospect
If you look at what Hildeby offers, he's certainly a different breed of goaltender. While being tall is almost mandatory now, he stands 6'7 but moves like he's 6'0, and his ability to go post-to-post at with his frame is downright impressive.
The Daily Faceoff's prospect analyst Steven Ellis explained why Hildeby was so special in his breakdown of the Maple Leafs' top prospects and relished in his ability to be active while also an intimidating presence:
It's hard to find goalies with a 6-foot-7 frame like Hildeby. But he's more than just a big dude. His ability to push off quickly in his crease with little effort allows him to get himself where he needs to be.
Hildeby has active footwork and some quick hands, too. He is prone to some mid-level shots beating him below the glove, but we've seen some progress there over the past two years.
The size obviously helps cover the top of the net, but he doesn't rely on it as much as he used to at a younger age in Sweden.
Hildeby has active footwork and some quick hands, too. He is prone to some mid-level shots beating him below the glove, but we've seen some progress there over the past two years.
The size obviously helps cover the top of the net, but he doesn't rely on it as much as he used to at a younger age in Sweden.
Hildeby made his debut last season, and posted a 3-3-0 record with a 3.16 GAA and .878 SV%.
He provides a ton of upside for potential rebuilding teams who are looking for a goaltender who can help out now, and be their potential #1 in the future; provided he continues his growth.
The Risk and Reward of Trading Him for Scoring Help
With Woll in tow for the foreseeable future, an Anthony Stolarz extension looming in the distance, and Artur Akhtyamov as good as he is; not to mention Timofei Obvintsev and Vyacheslav Peksa as well as the signing of Ken Appleby: It's a logjam in the crease.
That makes Hildeby expendable to someone like Pittsburgh, who could part with a veteran like Rakell or Rust in order to bring in their new netminder (and as a former Kyle Dubas pet project, makes perfect sense).
Adding either of them would bolster Toronto's scoring depth and presence up front instantly, however there is a risk involved.
We know the injury history with Woll and Stolarz, and Hildeby now is the projected third-string goaltender in case of emergency. With no real back-up plan, if they were to get rid of Hildeby it would not only hinder the Maple Leafs, but push Akhtyamov or someone into a position where they won't succeed.
Adding that scoring threat is certainly great, but at the cost of not having a goaltender who can weather the storm in case of injury is such a gamble, and Toronto's not playing with house money.
Dennis Hildeby sure could bring back what Brad Treliving needs, though at what cost?
| POLL | ||
AOUT 31 | 1348 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs' Trade Chip That Could Finally Bring Top-Six Help Do you think Toronto should trade Dennis Hildeby? | ||
| Yes | 554 | 41.1 % |
| No | 794 | 58.9 % |
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