The one area the Maple Leafs can actually feel thankful for right now

One big area of concern this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs has been injuries, with the team having been dealt a continuous run of poor health.

Toronto has been without Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, had William Nylander miss a game recently due to illness, and still has Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo away from the team.

Another area where injuries have bitten the Toronto Maple Leafs is in the goaltending department. Anthony Stolarz has been out since November 11th due to an injury that the team said was "worse than initially expected".

Stolarz's absence came right as Toronto got back Joseph Woll, who had left the team for reported personal reasons, leaving the Leafs tandem fractured yet again.

With Woll having played six consecutive starts since his return, Toronto turned to Dennis Hildeby in their most recent game vs the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Hildeby showed that he can be a short-term answer to the loss of Stolarz.

Dennis Hildeby was able to show in Toronto's blowout 7-2 win that he could be a potential NHL level goaltender.

Despite a promising preseason, Toronto decided to go with a veteran option in signing goaltender James Reimer to a tryout deal, and after releasing Reimer claimed Cayden Primeau off waivers.

After Primeau struggled in Toronto with a 4.30 GAA and a .838 SV% in three games with the Leafs, Primeau was re-claimed off waivers by Carolina, making Hildeby the remaining option for the Leafs.

Going to Hildeby was a question mark, with the 24-year-old having been less than stellar last season in six games with a 3-3-0 record, along with a 3.16 GAA and a .878 SV%, but this season has shown Hildeby to be a much more mature netminder in the NHL.

Hildeby has improved to a 3.07 GAA and a .914 SV% despite just a 1-2-1 record this season, some positive statistical growth.

Stopping 33 saves on 35 shots while showcasing strong composure, the win should be able to instill some confidence in the Leafs rookie.

With Anthony Stolarz out, Dennis Hildeby put on one of his most reliable performances in the NHL, and it's up to the Leafs now to decide how soon Hildeby could progress to the pros full-time.

It's unknown when Anthony Stolarz could return to the Leafs roster, but Hildeby has made a strong impression that should help his case into being an NHL goalie in the near future.

When Stolarz is able to return, the likelihood is that Hildeby would return to the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies, being waiver exempt.

But long-term, Hildeby has made clear what was already going to be a question for the Leafs, that Hildeby is coming close to being NHL caliber, and they will eventually have to decide what that means for Stolarz and Woll.

Toronto has Woll locked up under contract until 2028, and Stolarz until 2030, giving Hildeby little room to step in to the lineup unless someone is traded.

In the short term, the emergence of Hildeby gives the Leafs some relief in a reliable third string option, leaving goaltending as a less immediate priority to fill in the trade deadline if they are to spend any more time without Stolarz or Woll.

While a question long-term, it's a short-term positive for the Toronto Maple Leafs that they have three goaltenders who have shown they can rise to the occasion in net.